Anna was slightly shocked after learning that Gwen wanted to be a secretary. On top of that, she admired how she had managed to follow the assignments of her correspondence course without anybody noticing, not even she, sharing her room!

Very observant, Anna. Truly what a proper housemaid should be, she had scolded herself.

After O'Brien had entered and left, Gwen had hurried to put the typewriter back into its case and up the cupboard, with Anna's help.

"But when have you been working on this?" Anna finally asked.

"At night," Gwen said shrugging. "You sleep quite soundly." The head housemaid looked alarmed. "Not the actual typing," Gwen added. "That's just too much of a racket. I do that on my day off."

It was truly remarkable, Anna thought, while fixing her cap and running to meet O'Brien.

During the afternoon she reflected on Gwen. There were plenty of maids that would be thrilled to be hired in a big house, but that were actually waiting for a husband to appear and take them away after some time. Anna had met many of the sorts during her years in service.

Strangely enough, she had never thought that life was for her. Twice she had been posed the question. The first time, the lad that helped the local shop owner with the deliveries. The second one, a farmer she had met on her days off. Both had been nice men, but not enough to tempt her, even a little, to leave service and join them as a wife.

No. It was much easier to think that she would stay at the house and, eventually, become a lady's maid. Maybe Mary's, if she kept on with what was apparently good work, or even Edith's... if she ever got married.

But what Gwen wanted to do was altogether different. She wanted to be independent, right on her own two feet. It sounded insane, and yet, Anna felt she almost envied her. Almost.

They were both entering the servant's hall after helping with the dinner service when Gwen froze, right on the threshold.

"What's that doing here?"

Almost everybody was standing around the table. In the middle of it sat the typewriter. Somebody had even put a piece of paper on it.

"Ah, Gwen, come in," said Mrs Hughes in a calm tone.

Anna could appreciate Gwen's indignation, but it would not help her. She hoped Mrs Hughes would understand, if not Mr Carson, but yelling, even though she had the right to, would not do the trick. She shared the maid's indignation, though.

"This is you, isn't it?" she asked O'Brien, the moment she could talk over Gwen and Mrs Hughes. The lady's maid was looking at the scene, showing no emotion. Why did she always find the need to stir up trouble was anybody's guess.

"All we want is to know what Gwen wants with a typewriter, and why she feels the need to keep it secret?" Mr Carson asked, watched by half the staff.

"She wants to keep it private, not secret." Anna felt the need to say. "There is a difference."

"Amen," she heard Mr Bates' voice at her back. She had not realised he had been there, but she was grateful for the support.

"I've done nothing to be ashamed of," Gwen continued her explanations. It was proving difficult for her to keep a neutral voice. Her ideas were new to most of the people listening to them. Not being in service, wishing rather to be a secretary in an office... Mr Carson's eyebrows hat shot upwards and some of the younger staff had looked scandalised.

Fortunately, Mr Carson realised it was the time for ringing the gong. As everybody filled out, Gwen asked if she could have her typewriter back.

"Very well," the butler said, "but I wish I were sure you know what you're doing." Of course for him it was probably very difficult to understand. He had devoted his life to service, and after what she and Mr Bates had learned about his past, Anna very much doubted Mr Carson would ever consider a different career path.

Gwen took her machine without adding a word a headed upstairs. When she passed Anna, she mouthed a thank you, but her eyes still looked troubled.

Anna headed towards the staircase.

"You spoke up well in there," Mr Bates' voice made her stop. He was right behind her.

Anna felt slightly hot in the face and hoped her blush was not evident to him. "She is taking a risk, though," she hastened to say. "Mr Carson is right."

"Maybe," Mr Bates agreed. "But it's her risk to take."

"I suppose you're right." It made her feel a tad less worried, though. Somehow, having Mr Bates' support made Gwen's idea seem almost reasonable. "Anything planned? For your half day tomorrow?"

"I might take a train into Leeds." His eyes did not meet her and she wondered if that was actually what he was planning to do.

"What for?"

"No reason in particular," he shrugged. She was curious, but it was clear he did not want to elaborate on whatever that was. "Come on, we'd better get moving or they'll be dressing themselves and we can't have that. They might find out they can manage without us."

AN: Finally, Episode 3! I'm looking forward to write about Mr Bates limp corrector and how to carry a dead- well, you know.

So, I got my hands on the Script Book. Very enjoyable. The last scene is a deleted one that I wish they had used on the final version. More of those are going to appear.

I wanted to make this next chapter from Bates PoV, because last one was Anna's, but I needed her take of things. To the OCD people out there (like myself), sorry!

Thanks very much for all your support!