When Day is Done

  ‘I don’t mind,’ Kate said. ‘I like housework.’

  ‘You’re getting put on, girl, there’s no two ways about it,’ said Mrs Molesworth. ‘She says you haven’t come here to work, but she knows we couldn’t manage without all you do.’

  ‘I’m gettin’ put on an’ all,’ Martha grumbled. ‘A place this size with six boarders and only one maid. It’s not right.’

  ‘If it comes to that, I’m only supposed to do the rough, but I’ve got to turn me hand to anything,’ said the charwoman ‘But give the missus her due, she does enough for two herself. We can’t say nothing anyhow. We’re lucky to have a job at all, the way things are.’ She stood up. ‘I’d better get on now or I won’t have no job.’ She went upstairs with her cleaning box, and Martha followed to make up the fires and polish the dining room and parlour.

  Kate washed up and scrubbed the kitchen table, thinking about what had been said. She felt no resentment towards her aunt but she decided she must work harder to help Martha and Mrs Molesworth.

  Kate now spent an hour three evenings a week with Agnes Tate, being taught English and arithmetic. She was greatly in awe of Miss Tate, who was a tall, graceful young woman with an hourglass figure and a cloud of dark hair which she wore piled on top of her head and becomingly puffed out at the sides. During the week she wore long navy-blue or black skirts and plain white blouses with small bows at the neck, but on Sundays she wore a long, heavily braided cream skirt and a cream poplin blouse with a cameo brooch at the neck.

  She was a very reserved person, and Kate was very nervous when she first knocked at the door for a lesson, but Miss Tate put her at ease immediately. ‘I don’t know how far you’ve progressed, Kate,’ she said. ‘So I’ve decided to start right at the beginning. The groundwork is so important.’

  She was a good and patient teacher, and although Kate found the arithmetic hard, she enjoyed the English lessons and Agnes encouraged in her a taste for books which was to be a delight to Kate all her life. She was finding her schoolwork easier, and was due to take the leaving examination at Christmas 1905, when she was thirteen years old.

  Mrs Holland often met Kate at the gates after school. Her old neighbour was now working in a bag warehouse, hard, heavy work. Her wages went to help her only daughter, Dolly, who had two small children and was married to a man who drank most of what he earned. Kate was worried to see how thin and gaunt Mrs Holland had become and how she kept her hand pressed against her side as she talked, but she was as cheerful and as concerned about Kate and Rose as ever, and brushed aside any concern about her own health.

  Shortly before Kate left school, she was shocked to be met by Mrs Holland’s daughter, carrying one child and with another clinging to her skirts. She was sobbing hysterically and told Kate that her mam had dropped dead at work. ‘She was bad last night but she still went in,’ the girl wept. ‘She just lifted a sack and fell down dead. She only done it for me.’

  Kate tried to comfort her, in spite of her own grief for her faithful friend, but Dolly was inconsolable. Finally Kate picked up the toddler, and carrying the child and supporting Dolly, went back to Mrs Holland’s house. There the neighbours had gathered and Kate could leave Dolly to their ministrations. They remembered Kate and consoled her by recalling happier times and telling Kate how much Mrs Holland had loved her.

  ‘She was goin’ to meet you today, that’s why I went,’ Dolly sobbed, and Kate wept with her.

  It was late when she arrived home. Mildred was angry at her lateness, and even more angry when she learned the reason for it. ‘Drunkards don’t make old bones,’ she said cruelly. ‘And don’t worry about the girl. She’ll find comfort in a bottle the same as her mother, I suppose.’

  Kate was about to make a furious reply, but Martha pulled a face at her behind Mildred’s back and put her finger to her lips. Kate swallowed and only said meekly, ‘I’ll go and change, Aunt.’

  ‘Old cat,’ Martha said later, when they were alone. ‘She knew you was fond of Mrs Holland, but it wasn’t no use saying anything, Kate. She’d only take it out on you some sly way.’

  ‘I know,’ Kate said. ‘I’m glad you warned me, Martha.’

  Kate felt that Mrs Holland’s death marked the end of the last link with her old life, but she was happily settled now in her new one. She was so willing and helpful that she was a general favourite with the guests. Henry Barnes often slipped her small gifts of fruit or sweets, and always joked with her, and everyone else was so pleasant that she could ignore Mildred’s constant scoldings. She respected her aunt, but felt that she could never love her.

  Chapter Four

  The first anniversary of her mother’s death had occurred in October, and Kate had longed to visit Rose, but Mildred told her that it was not convenient. She promised to take Kate before Christmas, and true to her word a visit was arranged for December.

  Kate had outgrown her dress and boots, and Mildred had bought her a serviceable dark dress and strong boots. She was amazed to find Rose wearing white muslin with a pink sash, and Beattie in a purple dress in rich material heavily embroidered round the cuffs and neck.

  ‘We had a happy day shopping in town, didn’t we, dearest?’ Beattie said fondly to Rose, then, turning to Mildred, she said, ‘I’ve gone to half-mourning myself for poor Sophie, but I think a year’s mourning is enough for a child. I’ve been able to buy Rose all the pretty clothes I’ve been longing to get her.’

  She smiled at Rose, and Rose came to lean against her chair and kiss her cheek. Mildred made a disgusted exclamation, but Kate was happy to see her beloved sister so obviously cherished.

  Before they left, Beattie said in her languid voice, ‘So you’ll be leaving school at Christmas, Kate? I suppose you will have an allowance when you’re helping Auntie full time, but this is just a little extra, dear.’ She produced a mesh purse containing five sovereigns. ‘I know Aunt Mildred provides everything you need, but this is for extras. A blouse you might fancy, or some pretty ribbons.’

  She lay back, apparently exhausted by the long speech, and Kate thanked her profusely, glancing nervously at Mildred. The journey home passed in stony silence and Mildred’s temper was still short when they got in. As usual on Sunday evenings, they had their meal with the guests, but Mildred’s mood remained black.

  It was not a propitious moment for Henry Barnes to speak about Kate’s future, but he failed to see the storm signals. He was fond of Kate and felt that she had had a hard life, and he admired her courage and her cheerful willingness to help. As the assistant manager in a large store, he had managed, at some trouble to himself, to secure a junior position there for Kate.

  As soon as there was a lull in the conversation, he leaned forward and said eagerly, ‘I’ve spoken for Kate in Bryant’s, Mrs Williams, and the manager has promised her a position in the haberdashery department. She’ll be in the back room at first, but she’s such a bright little girl – I’m sure she’ll soon be promoted to the shop floor.’

  Kate’s smile lit up her plain face, and there were murmurs of pleasure round the table, but Mildred said icily, ‘Thank you, Mr Barnes. I’ll make my own arrangements for my niece if you please.’ Her eyes were like flints and two red spots burned in her cheeks, but Henry persisted.

  ‘Kate won’t get a better opportunity. Bryant’s are good employers and it would be a job for life if she needed it. Better than a lifetime in service, I would say.’

  ‘Possibly you would, Mr Barnes,’ Mildred said caustically, ‘but I know what’s best for my niece and I intend to train her to take over here when I’m gone.’

  Everyone was silent for a moment, then Agnes Tate said hotly, ‘I know you mean to do your best for Kate, Mrs Williams, but anything can happen in life. I agree with Mr Barnes that Kate is a very intelligent girl and could go far. A position at Bryant’s would be a starting point for her and she would be independent.’

  Mildred stared at her coldly but made no reply, and the rest of the meal was eaten almost in s
ilence.

  As soon as supper was finished, Mildred rose, and saying, ‘Come, Kate,’ swept out with only a curt nod to her guests. As soon as they had gone, Agnes said indignantly, ‘I think it’s a shame. She’s made such progress with me. I know she’s too good for a life of domestic drudgery.’

  Jack Rothwell joked, ‘You’ll be in the black books now, Barnes. You may be shown the door,’ and Joshua Hayman said soberly, ‘It’s no laughing matter, Barnes. You’d find it hard to get another crib as good as this. Some of my friends envy me when I tell them of the food and comfort we have here, I can tell you.’

  Mrs Bradley rose to her feet, but before she left she said reprovingly, ‘I think you all misjudge Mrs Williams. She is a Christian woman trying to do her best for her niece in the station to which God has called her. I know you meant well, Mr Barnes, but Kate has led a sheltered life and will be safer here at home.’ Henry sprang to open the door for her, and she went out slowly and with dignity.

  Kate was unaware of the trouble her future was causing. She had sat through the meal in a happy glow because Henry had bothered to speak for her and because he had called her a bright little girl, but the offer of the position meant little to her.

  She would be afraid to go among strangers, she thought, and she was quite happy working in the familiar house with her friends Mrs Molesworth and Martha, and seeing Henry every day. And I’ve got all that money, she thought exultantly, and Aunt Mildred knows about it so I can spend it openly.

  Mildred was in a much less happy frame of mind. She was annoyed and amazed by the interest being taken in Kate. She had expected the girl to slip unnoticed into working full time in the house without the distraction of school, but now first Beattie and then these people were putting their oars in. Why can’t people mind their own business? she thought angrily. She felt that now they would be watching everything that happened to Kate.

  Mildred went to church as usual and thought things over, and when she returned she rang for Kate to come to the rooms she occupied in a strategic position at the back of the hall.

  ‘Sit down,’ she said brusquely. ‘I didn’t intend to talk to you yet about my plans. I’ve done my duty by you and I’d expect you to help me out of gratitude, but I don’t want nosy parkers saying I’m taking advantage of you.’

  ‘But I am grateful, honestly,’ Kate protested.

  ‘I should hope you are,’ said Mildred. ‘Now, I’m teaching you what has to be done here so that you will be able to help in running the place as my niece. I don’t like talk of money passing between relations, but I’m going to make you an allowance of ten shillings a month. An allowance, mind you, not a wage. I’ll still buy your clothes, but you can buy your own stockings and suchlike. Tomorrow I’ll take you to the Co-op Bank and you can put that money from Beattie in and try to add to it from your allowance.’

  Kate could see her dreams of what she would do with Beattie’s money fading away, but before she could protest Mildred went on, ‘Seeing everyone wants to know my business, we’d better have things on a proper footing. Martha has one afternoon off every week, so you’d better have two, but remember you’re not here as a maid. You’re here as my niece and I’m training you. Keep a distance between yourself and Martha and Mrs M., and remember who you are.’

  ‘Yes, Aunt,’ Kate murmured.

  ‘Right. Well, nobody can say I haven’t done my duty by you,’ Mildred said with a satisfied air. ‘Get off to bed now.’

  The following morning Mildred called Martha and Mrs Molesworth into the kitchen. ‘My niece will be working full time here as I’m training her up to help in running the guest house, but she won’t be a maid. I expect you to treat her with respect, and from now on you will call her Miss Drew. Now, get back to work.’

  As soon as Mildred left to visit the shops, Martha and Mrs Molesworth questioned Kate. ‘What brought this on?’ asked the charwoman. ‘Did something happen yesterday?’

  ‘Mr Barnes said he’d spoken for me in Bryant’s,’ Kate said, her eyes shining. ‘He said it to Aunt Mildred at the table and she said she was training me to take over when she’d gone. Wasn’t he good to do that?’

  ‘I see,’ said Mrs Molesworth. ‘That would’ve put a spanner in her works. I’ll bet that was the first she’d thought about training you, but she’s cunning, the missus, and she thinks quick. Did she say any more about it to you?’

  ‘Yes, she called me into her room and she said she’d train me and I could have ten shillings a month and two afternoons off. Aunt Beattie gave me five pounds but Aunt Mildred said I had to put it in the bank, and I could save out of my ten shillings. She said it was an allowance not wages and Aunt Beattie said that too. She said when I was helping Auntie full time I’d have an allowance.’

  ‘I see it all now,’ Mrs Molesworth said. ‘What happened, girl, is your other aunt was asking questions, then Henry Barnes come up with a job for you, so she thought of this training lark. We won’t hear no more about that. Don’t worry.’

  ‘I don’t want things to be different, but I’ll like having an allowance,’ Kate said.

  ‘Six pounds a year!’ said Mrs Molesworth. ‘Well, she can’t work you no harder than she does now, anyroad.’

  ‘And we’ve got to call you Miss Drew,’ said Martha, but Mrs Molesworth laughed. ‘I give that two days,’ she said.

  Most of Mildred’s guests agreed with Mrs Bradley’s opinion on what she would describe as the lower classes, and felt, as she did, that ‘The rich man in his castle, the poor man at his gate, God made them high or lowly and order’d their estate.’ Agnes Tate, though, held different views.

  Although a reserved and conventional young woman, her mind had been broadened by working among poor children and finding that each of them was an individual with differing qualities and abilities, not just ‘the poor’ in a mass which she had been taught to despise. She was also passionately interested in the emancipation of women, and this made her more receptive to new ideas. Teaching Kate regularly had made her appreciate the girl, and she welcomed the opportunities open to her pupil.

  As the guests followed Mrs Bradley to the parlour, Agnes found Henry Barnes beside her. ‘Thank you for supporting me, Miss Tate,’ he said. ‘I’m sure several people agreed with me but they hadn’t the courage to speak out as you did.’

  ‘I said very little,’ Agnes said with a smile. ‘I’ve grown very fond of the child, and sorry for her too.’

  ‘Yes, I admire her pluck,’ Henry said enthusiastically. ‘She’s had a hard time, losing her mother and then being parted from her sister, yet she always has a cheerful smile.’

  Agnes looked surprised at the extent of his knowledge, but she only said, ‘Mrs Bradley arranged for me to coach her and I’ve found her a willing and able pupil.’

  ‘But she will still have to be in service. Her aunt seems quite determined,’ said Henry. ‘I was so pleased to have obtained the position for her, but it wasn’t even considered.’

  ‘But if she is to own the guesthouse eventually, at least she will have a slightly easier life, and more free time,’ Agnes consoled him. ‘I hope I’ve widened her horizons by teaching her to read fluently. I believe her sister was taken in by a wealthy relative when their mother died, so Kate was unlucky.’

  ‘Fortunately she doesn’t seem to think so,’ Henry said, ‘which is the important thing.’

  Agnes smiled. ‘That’s very perceptive of you, Mr Barnes,’ she said. They were interrupted by Jack Rothwell, but that evening marked the beginning of a relationship between Henry and Agnes which grew deeper and closer as time passed.

  It was true that Kate was quite happy. She was pleased to be at home all day and even more pleased that she was now on a proper footing in the house, with money of her own and regular time off.

  At Christmas she was surprised to receive gifts from all the guests. Mrs Bradley gave her an uplifting book, Flora’s Dying Wish, and Agnes Tate a copy of Her Benny by Silas Hocking. The other teacher, Dorothy Norto
n, knitted a scarf and mitts for her, Joshua Hayman and Jack Rothwell each gave her five shillings, and Henry presented her with a lace collar and a box of fondant creams, which delighted her.

  ‘You done better than me,’ Martha grumbled. ‘I gorra few shillings off them but they never went to no trouble for me.’

  ‘You never go to no trouble for them,’ said Mrs Molesworth, who had overheard her. ‘Kate often runs out for a paper for them and does bits of washing and ironing when the missus is outa the way.’

  ‘Aye, especially for Mr Barnes,’ Martha jeered. ‘I think you’re soft on him, Kate.’

  Kate blushed. It was true that Henry had been her hero since her first day here, when he had carried the coal scuttle for her, but she had thought no one knew how she felt.

  ‘Don’t talk daft, girl,’ Mrs Molesworth said robustly. ‘Kate’s still a little girl. You’d better not let the missus hear talk like that outa you.’

  ‘It was only a joke,’ Martha said sulkily, but Kate resolved to be more careful about showing her feelings in the future.

  At the end of January Mildred handed Kate ten shillings with warnings that it must not be wasted. ‘It will teach you to handle money and to save,’ she said. ‘A regular amount saved will soon mount up, added to the five pounds from your Aunt Beattie.’ Kate agreed meekly, but she had already decided that most of her money would be spent in the second-hand bookshops, and some on sweets.

  She had skimmed quickly through the moral tale given to her by Mrs Bradley, but Her Benny she read at every opportunity, either by candlelight in her room or beside the kitchen fire while her aunt was at the Mission. She wept bitterly at the sufferings of little Nelly and Benny, and Martha watched her with disgust.

  ‘Fancy crying like that over a book!’ she jeered. ‘Why do you read it if it makes you whinge?’

  ‘Oh, Martha, it’s lovely,’ sighed Kate. ‘But so sad. Nelly and Benny lived in Liverpool too, near to Scotland Road.’