ChapterFive
“We need to teach the girls to read,” Georgie announced as she sat at the table in the kitchen.
Mrs. Peters looked up from kneading the bread. “That is quite the undertaking.”
“I know, but I do believe it would help the girls find employment,” Georgie said. “Just think of the possibilities that it would open up for them.”
“That it would,” Mrs. Peters agreed. “But who would even teach them?”
“I would,” Georgie said.
“You will teach all of the girls?”
Georgie shrugged. “It may take some time, but I have plenty of that right now.”
With a pointed look, Mrs. Peters said, “I thought you were supposed to manage the orphanage.”
“I can do both.”
Mrs. Peters wiped her flour-coated hands on her white apron. “There are nineteen girls here, ranging from ages five to twelve,” she said. “I don’t even know where you would begin.”
It was quite a number. Georgie had discovered at breakfast that they couldn’t all fit around their one table, so the children ate meals in shifts. She’d only met half of them, and would have to be conscious of when she ate so she could spend time with the rest. Breakfast had been a somewhat subdued affair, as only the most outspoken girls had broken the silence that descended when Georgie took a place among them. She hoped familiarity would make them more comfortable in her presence and loosen their tongues.
“Lord Grenton has agreed to supply the orphanage with books,” Georgie shared.
“Yes, but for the sole purpose of you reading to the girls.”
“He doesn’t need to know I’m using them for something else, as well.”
Mrs. Peters shook her head. “You need to be careful, dearie,” she counseled. “Lord Grenton may dismiss you for your impertinence.”
“He never said thatIcouldn’t teach the girls how to read,” she said, “just that he wouldn’t be hiring tutors.”
“That is a ticklish argument,” Mrs. Peters remarked. “I think he made his thoughts known on the matter.”
“Regardless, I do believe it would be for the best if we taught the girls how to read,” Georgie said. “It just feels like the right thing to do. Does it not?”
Mrs. Peters let out a sigh. “You will discover that there is a fine line between right and wrong when you are working for your income.”
Georgie rose. “I refuse to sit back and do nothing when I have the time and ability to help these girls.”
“You have always been too stubborn for your own good, but I worry that this will backfire on you spectacularly.”
“I won’t know unless I try.”
“It is a good thing you are pretty,” Mrs. Peters joked. “That may work in your favor when Lord Grenton comes to dismiss you.”
Georgie smiled. “I doubt Lord Grenton even pays the orphanage any heed. Most men of his station care very little for the poor.”
“You cannot be certain of that,” Mrs. Peters said. “Your father lobbied Parliament to help the living conditions for the people living in the rookeries.”
“And it did little good.”
Mrs. Peters reached for a pan and set it next to the dough. “Be mindful that working at the orphanage is only for a short time,” she advised. “You don’t want to get these girls’ hopes up, only for you to not make good on your promise.”
“I know, but I cannot in good conscience do nothing.”
Mrs. Peters sighed. “If you are insistent on doing this, I can help, as well.”
