Mrs. Hughes lifted her brow. “Do you think these girls will get breaks when they go work at a grand house?”
“I hadn’t thought about it.”
“The answer is no,” Mrs. Hughes responded. “These girls will work from the moment they wake up ’til they lay their heads on their pillows at night. The work will be hard, but it will keep a roof over their heads and food in their bellies.”
“But they are only children,” Georgie contended.
Mrs. Hughes glanced at Sarah as she cleaned the floor on her hands and knees. “These girls,” she said sternly, “are old enough to take care of themselves. They must learn that the only person who cares about their welfare is themselves.”
“That is a hard lesson to learn.”
Mrs. Hughes’s mouth was set in a grim line. “Not everyone has a lady’s maid and butler to see to their every whim,” she said. “I think it would be best if you don’t stick your nose where it doesn’t belong.”
Taken aback by her harsh words, Georgie rushed out, “I meant no harm.”
“You are doing harm by giving these girls hope for a different future,” Mrs. Hughes said. “No one would seriously consider hiring a girl from an orphanage to act as her lady’s maid. It is laughable to even think about.”
“I believe you are underestimating these girls and the members of Society.”
Mrs. Hughes let out a frustrated sigh. “These girls were taken from workhouses, where they were lucky to survive every single day. We have given them a second chance at life, a better life, but they are still from the rookeries. That will never change.”
“I could help them by teaching them how to read,” Georgie pressed.
“Read?” Mrs. Hughes huffed. “You cannot be in earnest! Most of these girls have never even seen a book.”
“Lord Grenton has agreed to acquire some books for the orphanage.”
Mrs. Hughes looked decidedly unimpressed by her words. “Leave the girls to me, Miss Lloyd,” she ordered. “You have more important things to do with your time.”
Georgie opened her mouth to respond when Mrs. Hughes turned on her heel and departed from the room.
“Insufferable woman,” Georgie muttered under her breath
Mrs. Peters spoke up. “What do you intend to do?”
“I am not going to let Mrs. Hughes dictate my actions, no matter how frightening she can be,” Georgie said. “If you will excuse me, I need to go make the list of books we require.”
As Georgie walked out of the kitchen, she felt determined that she would help these girls, one way or another.
William put his cloth-covered fists up in front of his face and approached Hawthorne. He swung at him, but Hawthorne easily side-stepped his blow.
“What am I doing wrong?” William asked.
Hawthorne let his arms relax at his sides and replied, “Your heart isn’t in it.”
“How can your heart be in boxing?”
“That is the problem,” Hawthorne said. “It is not enough that you want to hit me.”
“I do want to hit you,” William grumbled. “I have for some time now.”
Hawthorne laughed. “Then let’s go again.”
As William advanced towards his friend, Hawthorne punched him in the side, and he doubled over.
“You left yourself open,” Hawthorne said.
William brought his hand to his aching side and attempted to draw a deep breath. “I think I have had enough for today.”
