Chapter 3
I knew this was going to be trouble. I re-entered the stables to find Elspeth (I had found out her name from Louis the night before) crouched curiously in front of the dog. Sensing me come in, she looked up at me with open dislike.
I ordered her to follow me, and I gave her instructions about hay and leading the horses out of their stalls, and I left her to it. I exited the barn with a feeling of amusement; I wished to see how good she was at farm work.
After a little while, I came back in, expecting her to only have done one or two horses. To my complete amazement, she had finished and was leaning on a post watching the horses. I turned my amazement into disapproval for the sake of my plans
"You have been uncommonly fast", I admonished stonily, and I watched her turn, red creeping up her neck.
"Too quick to believe, even if Enoch did recommend you" I saw her withdraw slightly and fear flicker across her face.
"Well?" I enquired grimly.
"I… my father kept horses", she stammered, looking down. I nodded, though I did not believe her.
"All right. There are packages of food from the kitchen for midmeal out by the barn. I'll find something else for the afternoon." I said, and she nearly sprinted from the barn.
I came back out to find her watching Matthew and the blind boy, Dameon, return to work. I came to stand beside her and sneered:
"I see you accomplish many things easily. You choose companions as easily as you muck out a stable. I should have thought the Orphan life would have taught you more caution." She was silent.
"Well, this afternoon you can show me your talents at milking. I don't suppose your father had cows as well as horses?" I enquired, wishing to mock her. She merely sighed and fell into step behind me. Louis was sitting at the front of the dairy.
"Louis, this is Elspeth Gordie." I said. "You can have her for the afternoon."
"I hope she's quicker than th' last", he muttered, clearly appraising her.
"Oh she's quick all right" I said pointedly as she followed the old man. She turned with a curious expression, expecting to see the back of me. She pressed her lips together and turned away.
I found her a while later sitting out side the barn, looking weary.
"Don't tell me you are tired?" I sneered. She looked up at me with a fierce hatred in her eyes.
"People like you are the worst sort", she growled, fury in her voice. "You make everything so much worse with your sneering and snide comments. I do my work. Why won't you just leave me alone?" I felt slightly hurt, but I would not allow that to show.
"I hardly think the opinions of one stupid Misfit will worry me too much" I said. She merely sighed and looked wearily at me. She rose with the grace of one who is resigned to one's fate, and joined her friends, though she did not speak to them. She did not look back.