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Ellen nodded, trying to keep her emotions in check. Simon waited for a split second as if to ensure she was ready. He then knocked, and a few seconds later, the door was opened to them.
Ellen could not have been prepared for the scene that met her. The warehouse was only a little warmer than the frigid temperatures outside. Ellen could see her breath as she entered the place, and several children looked up at her with cold, haunted eyes. Her heart nearly stopped, seeing their filthy living conditions and ragged clothes that were no defence against the cold.
Simon stepped away from her to speak with the overseer. Ellen could not stand still and immediately went to a group of women sewing garments from old gunny sacks. It was a wonder they could see well enough to make the stitches in the dimly lit warehouse.
“Hello,” she said, a little out of breath. “My name is Ellen.”
One of the women stood, and Ellen realised she was not much older than herself. “Lady Ellen Grant. Yes, we know who you are,” she said. She gave an awkward curtsy and looked at the other ladies who were gathered around her. Several children came over, hesitant at first.
“What is your name?” Ellen asked. It seemed so strange to have these women call her by her title. There was already so much to separate them. She did not want anything to get in the way of making connections with as many of them as possible.
“My name is Grace Addison, my lady. And this is my mother, Hannah Addison.” The younger woman turned to a white-haired woman who looked to be in her seventies but was probably much younger. Ellen’s heart went out to her. How long had she been in this horrible place?
“It is very nice to meet you, Miss Adison,” Ellen said with a smile.
“Please, Hannah is just fine. Thank you for coming to visit us today, Lady Ellen,” Hannah said, her voice croaking with age and cold.
Thankfully, the cold did not suffuse the warehouse for very long, for wood provided from the Sotheby forest was brought into the main room, and a large fire was built in the giant hearth. Simon even helped to build it up, and several people gathered around to reach their hands as close to the warmth as possible.
Greenery was brought in, and the children’s faces lit up as they helped hang it from the railings on the stairs that led to the overseer’s office on the second floor. The hearth was also hung with greenery and clusters of holly and berries. Ellen was surprised by the transformation of the people’s faces with these simple acts of kindness. She had always taken a warm fire and shelter for granted—and vowed never to do so again.
When the fire had been lit and the greenery hung, Simon and his father announced another surprise that was likely more important to the inhabitants of the workhouse than anything else. “Please gather around everyone!” Simon said as he climbed onto one of the long stools the people were supposed to sit at when they worked. People turned, but many did not move from their spots near the fire. And Ellen did not blame them.
“We have prepared a feast for all of you. If the gentlemen would please come and help us bring in the food, we would be most appreciative,” Simon went on. He motioned toward the door where three carriages filled with scrumptious food were ready to be brought in.
While the men and boys were helping to bring in the feast, Ellen and several of the ladies spread bright red tablecloths over the tables that ran the length of the centre of the room. Lady Grant and Ellen’s mother helped them set out the plates and silverware. The warehouse was a bit chaotic for a while, but soon the food was all laid out, and the people stood back as if they were in a dream, afraid to sit down and enjoy themselves lest it was all a hoax.
However, after some coaxing, the people sat down together. Simon stood at the head of the table and said grace.
“Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for these Thy gifts. Make us truly grateful for all the blessings that You have given through the year.”
Ellen watched him, rather than closing her eyes, too transfixed by his words and calming voice. She had so much to be grateful for—him included. Love for this selfless man welled up inside her, and she could not help the tears that sprang to her eyes. How had she been so blessed? Even now, she felt she did not deserve it. She probably never would.
For over an hour, people passed food and drink to each other, their faces lit with rosy warmth. Ellen and Simon, her sisters, parents and in-laws, all helped serve the people. They wanted to show these precious people that they were loved and cared for, even when society as a whole would rather pretend they did not exist. It was incredibly humbling for her to see their smiles.
Simon stood for another announcement when most of the food was gone, and people began to lounge about. “And now, it is time for the dancing to begin! Father!” he said and waved his hand again toward the entrance to the warehouse. The door opened, and six musicians walked in with their instruments. They headed to the hearth and set up there, waiting for the cue to begin.
“Let us move the tables to the walls to make room,” Simon instructed. The room was transformed in minutes, and the centre of the once-dark and cold workhouse was as bright and gay as a village dance. The musicians began to play a lively tune, and several people stood to partake in the dancing. Ellen was content to watch as people swung round and round. Never in her life had she seen such vigour.
She would have been content to stay there and watch long into the night, but Simon soon appeared at her side. “I am sorry that we have not been able to see each other for most of the day. How are you doing?”
“Oh, I am very well,” Ellen said. “It is good to see the change that has been wrought in just one afternoon. Think of what could be done if we did not reserve this kind of generosity for Christmas alone,” she said.
“My thoughts exactly. Now that I am back from university, I mean to see that this place is dissolved in favour of places that offer more dignified working conditions. This place should not be in operation, especially when we have so much to give,” Simon said.
“However, those things can be prepared later. Right now, I think it is high time I had a dance with my beautiful wife.”
His smile lit his face, and she took his offered hand. He led her to the dance floor, and people made room for them in the line. Soon she and Simon were twirling to the lively tune, but even with the jolly atmosphere, she could not help the tears that sprang to her eyes. His features were tinged with concern when they came together in the centre of the line for a promenade.
“What is it, Ellen? What is wrong?” he asked softly.
Ellen looked up at him and smiled despite the tears. She had misjudged him so abominably at the beginning of their marriage. Now, she could not imagine her life without him.
“Absolutely nothing,” she said softly. They spent the rest of their time at the workhouse, dancing and visiting with the inhabitants long into the night.
Chapter 32
December 24th
