New York, May, 1921.
"Eliza....I need to have a word with you." The mistress of the house said, startling Eliza. In all the time that Eliza had been there the mistress had not once spoken to her.
Whilst the mistress was arranging herself on the chair Eliza studied her overtly. She really was a beautiful woman who seemed to look younger than she really was. The only thing Eliza believed to spoil her beauty was her cold eyes, although they were not exactly cold at the moment.
"My husband and I are going over to Europe for awhile starting this summer. We're thinking it could be a year or two, and of course we need to take Mrs. Neville to look after the children, however we wont be able to take you. Times are a little tough at the moment-although I have a feeling they could get worse before they get better-and we can't afford to take every servant we own. We'll be taking a maid as well, but like I said I am afraid we won't be able to take you." The mistress explained.
Eliza felt her heart skip a beat. What on earth would she do now?
"My husband has been in contact with your guardian regarding this." The mistress continued. "We all felt it would be a shame to see you come this far and then not complete what you intended!"
Eliza nodded. Even though she wasn't entirely happy with the jobs she got given to do by a resentful and mean boss, she knew that it would only take about six more months before she could be classed as qualified. To give up now would mean a waste of the last nine months!
"Caledon, as you probably know, is still living in England, and there is no real option of you going to join him." The mistress continued. "In fact, it seems the only real option is for you to go somewhere else to work. The idea of turning a young girl like you out on the street is out of the question! A fifteen-year-old can hardly fend for herself! Therefore your guardian has entrusted me with the task of finding you another position."
Eliza couldn't help but feel alarmed at hearing this! How would she know what kind of place the mistress would find for her?
"Anyway it appears that you are in luck." The mistress said, smiling at her. "A friend of mine is prepared to let you live in her home and learn from her own governess!"
Eliza's eyes widened. It seemed as though everything had been decided for her!
"You'll begin there at the start of the month. In the meantime you'll be expected to continue your position here. I should tell you that ordinarily I might not be the type of person to help you find another position-I'm not exactly an employment agency!-however I am grateful for you saving my son's life, and I want to make sure that everything works out for you because of that!" The mistress explained. Then she handed Eliza a letter. "It's from your guardian."
Eliza took the letter and went upstairs to her room to read it in private:
"Dear Eliza,
No doubt by the time you read this you will have heard about the plans involving your new position. I have been very pleased to receive the satisfactory reports from your boss regarding your job. I am also very pleased that she has taken it upon herself to ensure that you will be able to get a new job when she leaves.
I also have to tell you that once again I am engaged. To a lovely English girl named Melanie. Once we marry we will eventually return to America to live. I hope you're pleased for me.
Continue to work hard and make me proud of you. I am sure that should you continue the way you have been going you will soon be able to obtain a position as a governess.
Fondly,
Caledon Hockley."
"Well," Eliza said out loud to herself "Since, as usual, my future has been decided for me I can only hope that this new job means I'll actually get to learn something other than how to scrub a floor. Which I think I am an expert at now!" Then she sighed. She knew she couldn't really complain, after all, as she had told herself on many occasions before-where would she be without Cal and his assistance?
"Eliza....I need to have a word with you." The mistress of the house said, startling Eliza. In all the time that Eliza had been there the mistress had not once spoken to her.
Whilst the mistress was arranging herself on the chair Eliza studied her overtly. She really was a beautiful woman who seemed to look younger than she really was. The only thing Eliza believed to spoil her beauty was her cold eyes, although they were not exactly cold at the moment.
"My husband and I are going over to Europe for awhile starting this summer. We're thinking it could be a year or two, and of course we need to take Mrs. Neville to look after the children, however we wont be able to take you. Times are a little tough at the moment-although I have a feeling they could get worse before they get better-and we can't afford to take every servant we own. We'll be taking a maid as well, but like I said I am afraid we won't be able to take you." The mistress explained.
Eliza felt her heart skip a beat. What on earth would she do now?
"My husband has been in contact with your guardian regarding this." The mistress continued. "We all felt it would be a shame to see you come this far and then not complete what you intended!"
Eliza nodded. Even though she wasn't entirely happy with the jobs she got given to do by a resentful and mean boss, she knew that it would only take about six more months before she could be classed as qualified. To give up now would mean a waste of the last nine months!
"Caledon, as you probably know, is still living in England, and there is no real option of you going to join him." The mistress continued. "In fact, it seems the only real option is for you to go somewhere else to work. The idea of turning a young girl like you out on the street is out of the question! A fifteen-year-old can hardly fend for herself! Therefore your guardian has entrusted me with the task of finding you another position."
Eliza couldn't help but feel alarmed at hearing this! How would she know what kind of place the mistress would find for her?
"Anyway it appears that you are in luck." The mistress said, smiling at her. "A friend of mine is prepared to let you live in her home and learn from her own governess!"
Eliza's eyes widened. It seemed as though everything had been decided for her!
"You'll begin there at the start of the month. In the meantime you'll be expected to continue your position here. I should tell you that ordinarily I might not be the type of person to help you find another position-I'm not exactly an employment agency!-however I am grateful for you saving my son's life, and I want to make sure that everything works out for you because of that!" The mistress explained. Then she handed Eliza a letter. "It's from your guardian."
Eliza took the letter and went upstairs to her room to read it in private:
"Dear Eliza,
No doubt by the time you read this you will have heard about the plans involving your new position. I have been very pleased to receive the satisfactory reports from your boss regarding your job. I am also very pleased that she has taken it upon herself to ensure that you will be able to get a new job when she leaves.
I also have to tell you that once again I am engaged. To a lovely English girl named Melanie. Once we marry we will eventually return to America to live. I hope you're pleased for me.
Continue to work hard and make me proud of you. I am sure that should you continue the way you have been going you will soon be able to obtain a position as a governess.
Fondly,
Caledon Hockley."
"Well," Eliza said out loud to herself "Since, as usual, my future has been decided for me I can only hope that this new job means I'll actually get to learn something other than how to scrub a floor. Which I think I am an expert at now!" Then she sighed. She knew she couldn't really complain, after all, as she had told herself on many occasions before-where would she be without Cal and his assistance?