Mr. Carson was an early riser, as was Mrs. Hughes, but Sybbie turned out to be the earliest.
"Mrs. Hughes?" Mrs. Hughes opened her eyes to see Sybbie's bright blue eyes only inches from hers. "You are in Nanny's bed!" The little girl giggled and reached out and patted Mrs. Hughes cheek.
Mrs. Hughes couldn't help but smile. "I am! My goodness, you are an early bird, Miss Sybbie! Did you have sweet dreams?"
The little girl grunted as she grabbed onto Mrs. Hughes and attempted to climb onto the bed.
"Let me help you." Mrs. Hughes braced a hand under each of Sybbie's arms and let out a slight groan as she pulled the beauty onto the bed.
"You are warm!" the little girl purred. She snuggled in against Mrs. Hughes.
Mrs. Hughes gently stroked Sybbie's arm. "Did you wake up because you were cold?"
"Yes," the little head nodded.
"Do you want to go back to sleep?" Mrs. Hughes hoped the answer was yes, but Sybbie shook her head.
"Will you tell me a story?"
"All right. What kind of story would you like?"
The little girl thought for a moment. "Will you tell me about the angel?"
Mrs. Hughes thought for a moment. "The Christmas angel? The angel that told the shepherds about baby Jesus in the manger?"
"No. Not that angel. Daddy's angel."
"I don't know if I know that one. Tell me about it."
The little girl took Mrs. Hughes hand and held it alongside hers. "Do you see the wings?"
The light coming from the corridor through the bedroom door allowed Mrs. Hughes to make out the wing shapes created by the large and small hands together. "I do."
"Whenever I feel sad, I make the wings and my angel comes to make me feel better. Daddy says everyone has an angel. Mine is my mummy. Who is your angel?"
"I think my angel is my mummy." She suddenly remembered the previous evening's conversation with Mr. Carson that ended with him telling her he was her angel. She felt a flutter in her stomach.
"Is your mummy in heaven with my mummy?" Sybbie moved her hand so that it rested on Mrs. Hughes palm.
"Oh, yes. They are both in heaven." Mrs. Hughes gave the little girl a squeeze. "You have a wonderful angel, Miss Sybbie. Your mummy was one of the sweetest and kindest people I have ever known, and so beautiful. I see her so much when I look at your little face. And she was very smart and strong and she took care of people and made them feel better."
The little girl smiled and wiggled in closer to Mrs. Hughes. "Auntie Edith said Mummy called you "Hughsie" when she was little."
Mrs. Hughes felt a lump begin to form in her throat as tears began to well in the corners of her eyes, "That she did. She was my little helper. She liked to help me plump the pillows when I made the beds and she had a little broom and she would help me sweep the floors and pretend she was Cinderella."
"May I call you Hughsie like mummy and be your little helper?"
Mrs. Hughes smoothed the little girl's hair, "That would make me very happy. I know you will be a wonderful helper. "
Sybbie smiled and yawned, "All right. Will you tell me the story of Cinderella?"
Mrs. Hughes began her tale as all tales begin, "Once upon a time…"
Neither she nor the little girl was aware, but Mr. Carson had heard most of their conversation. He had gone to check on the children when he heard voices coming from the Nanny's room. He quietly stood outside the door and listened to the story of the angel. He found himself fighting back tears as Mrs. Hughes spoke of Lady Sybil. He thought it no coincidence that the sweetest and kindest of the three Crawley daughters had been drawn to Mrs. Hughes. Suddenly, Master George let out a squawk. Mr. Carson quickly stuck his head in the door. "I'll get him."
Mrs. Hughes wondered how long he had been there. She could hear the rich, low baritone comforting the little boy, "Oh my, oh my…I know…those girls are telling stories without us. Come on, lad. Let's go see Bee Bee and Mrs. Hughes."
Master George lit up as he was carried into Nanny's room and found Sybbie curled up with Mrs. Hughes. Mr. Carson gently set the toddler down and he padded over to the bed, his eyes just peeping over the edge.
"Georgie!" Sybbie reached out and patted the little blonde head and George responded with a giggle, "Bee-Bee!"
"Let us finish our story after breakfast, Miss Sybbie, what do you say?" The little girl nodded in agreement.
"Come along, you two. We will let Mrs. Hughes get into her dressing gown." Mr. Carson gave Mrs. Hughes a bright smile and helped the little girl down; taking both children by the hand and leading they back to George's room.
Mrs. Hughes quickly put on her dressing gown and made her way into the room. It dawned on her how anxious she was to join Mr. Carson and the children. The cuddle and conversation with Sybbie reminded her of the many lovely times she had spent with Lady Sybil as a child. She hadn't realized how much she had missed the young woman and she felt a wave of sadness. This was quickly assuaged when she walked into the room to find Sybbie wrapped around Carson's leg, singing a nonsense song about monkeys climbing trees as Mr. Carson was beginning the fairly harrowing task of changing George's wet nappy.
"Let me do that, Mr. Carson."
"It can't be all that difficult…" Mr. Carson's statement was a feeble attempt at courage.
"Oh, there are special dangers in changing a little boy's nappy, Mr. Carson. For your sake, please let me help."
Mr. Carson kept a hand on a patient George as Mrs. Hughes made her way over.
"Let's get you a nice dry nappy, laddie…"
Mr. Carson watched in amazement as Mrs. Hughes swiftly unpinned the soggy diaper, draped a dry cloth over the bottom half of the child and quickly folded a new nappy and slid it under the child. She then took another cloth, and dipped it into a nearby pitcher.
"This may be a little cold, my darling, but I will be quick."
The little boy let out a squeak as the cold cloth was quickly wiped over his bare bottom, but the funny faces Mrs. Hughes made at him kept his protests at bay. The child was securely diapered and clothed in less time than it took Mr. Carson to button up his own shirt.
"Very impressive, Mrs. Hughes."
"I helped our neighbor, Mrs. Fraser, when I was a girl. She had ten children- and eight of them were boys. You learned very quickly to shield yourself from an uncovered baby boy."
"It never would have occurred to me, Mrs. Hughes."
"I had a feeling it wouldn't." She picked up George and placed him on the floor with Sybbie who had retrieved a box of toy cars. "Now, if you are agreeable, Mr. Carson, I will wash my hands and then get the children dressed while you go to your room and dress. If you will then come back so I can get dressed, we can see about getting some yummy porridge for everyone."
Mr. Carson smiled and nodded. "That sounds like a wonderful plan, Mrs. Hughes."
Mrs. Hughes quickly washed her hands and asked Sybbie, "Do you want to pick out a dress to wear? I think it might be too cold to go outside today, but we will find plenty to do inside."
Mr. Carson listened to the little girl begin to list the various games they could play as he swiftly made his way down the corridor. Two maids were up and about, but neither was moving very fast or appeared to feel well. Seeing Mr. Carson in his dressing gown after six in the morning was unheard of, much less seeing him upstairs after six in his dressing gown, but neither girl dared say anything.
"Mildred, Janet, will you please start some water boiling in a large pot on the stove? You may then attend to the bedding in the guest room near the nursery, as well as Nanny's. I will make a quick survey of the staff to see how everyone is feeling. Please don't overdo today. Neither of you looks much better than yesterday. With the family gone for the next few days, I would like everyone to get plenty of rest so we are up to speed when they return."
The girls were unable to hide their amazement at Mr. Carson's pronouncement.
"Yes sir, " managed Janet as Mildred nodded.
Mr. Carson stopped by a very green Mr. Branson's room. He assured the young father that the children were in the very capable hands of Mrs. Hughes. Mr. Branson gave him a weary smile and fell back asleep. Mr. Carson set off towards the men's floor, whistling on his way. He stopped at the room of each member of the male staff. Mr. Barrow, James, Mr. Mosley and the others were as pale as their sheets. He ordered them to stay in bed and promised they would be checked on throughout the day.
He then washed, shaved and dressed as efficiently as possible before making his way to the kitchen. He turned the corner to see Daisy standing at the stove stirring a large pot of porridge. She looked pale, but was managing the task without signs of major difficulty.
"Do you feel well enough to be up doing this, Daisy?"
The young cook wiped her brow.
"I think so, Mr. Carson. I was one of the first ones to fall ill after the family and you and Mrs. Hughes. I don't know if I am strong enough to make three meals today, though."
Mr. Carson assured her, "I think we can get by with porridge for now, maybe some dry toast and then a light soup for lunch. Anyone well enough for dinner can make themselves a sandwich. We are all staff today, with the exception of Mr. Branson, and he is quite unwell."
"I think I can manage that, Mr. Carson," Daisy face was filled with relief.
"Well, don't overdo. I told Mildred and Janet, we need to rest and take care of ourselves today before the family returns the day after tomorrow. Now, do you mind checking on the other ladies of the staff and reporting back to me? I will mind the porridge until you return. "
"It is ready, Mr. Carson. It just needs to be ladled out into bowls."
"Very good. I will prepare some for the children, Mrs. Hughes and myself. Anyone else who feels up to eating can serve themselves as they wish."
"I will be back, Mr. Carson." Daisy let Mr. Carson take control of the wooden spoon and made her way out of the kitchen.
Mr. Carson hummed Mrs. Hughes' lullaby from the previous night as he retrieved a tray and gathered four small bowls, spoons, as well as pitchers of cream and honey. He poured two cups of tea and had just picked up the tray when Daisy returned and reported that everyone was quite relieved to have the opportunity to rest and recuperate for the rest of the day. She assured him she would make a simple chicken soup for lunch.
"If you need me, I will be in the nursery, Daisy." Daisy nodded and began to make some dry toast for herself.
Mr. Carson picked up his tray and set out for the nursery.
Mildred and Janet were making the bed in the guest room he had used the night before. Mr. Carson stuck his head in and asked them to check that everyone on the staff had water and some dry toast. The girls nodded. Mr. Carson left them to the bed making and continued on his way. He gently tapped his foot against the nursery door. Mrs. Hughes opened it and met him with a smile.
"We are very happy to see you, Mr. Carson."
Sybbie and George were both dressed and ready to eat.
"Here we are now," Mr. Carson said setting down the tray.
Mrs. Hughes crossed to him. "Would you like me to stay and help or do you think you can manage while I get dressed? I brought some things with me last night and can dress in the next room,"
"We will be fine. If I need anything, Mildred and Janet are nearby."
"I will be quick." Mrs. Hughes put her hand on Mr. Carson's shoulder. "Good luck." She let out a small laugh and quickly left the nursery.
Both children waited patiently as Carson spooned in a little bit of honey into each of their bowls.
"Would you like to feed yourself, Miss Sybbie?"
The little girl smiled and nodded. George began to kick his dangling legs against the seat in anticipation of the warm porridge.
"Now, please blow on it like this, Miss Sybbie." Carson raised a spoon to his lips and blew on the steaming porridge. "It is hot. See the steam? Very hot."
Sybbie nodded seriously and blew on her little spoon.
Carson dabbed Master George's spoonful with his pinky to determine if the bite was cool enough before offering it to the little boy. George proceeded to blow on the spoon as Carson moved it towards his lips. Mr. Carson let out a small, low chuckle.
George smiled and opened his mouth for the bite.
Mrs. Hughes quickly washed, applied talcum and changed into the day's dress. She carefully pinned up her hair and turned to rejoin Mr. Carson in the nursery, but turned back to the looking glass once more and found herself pinching her cheeks and biting her lips to give her face a little color.
"Oh, you silly woman." She shook her head and smiled to herself as she made her way back into the nursery.
"What a big girl you are, Miss Sybbie! You are doing a wonderful job!" Outside of small blobs of porridge on her chin and bib, Sybbie was managing quite well. "Did Mr. Carson make you a good breakfast?"
The little girl paused before her next spoonful, smiled and nodded.
Mrs. Hughes turned and watched Carson feeding Master George. The focused look on his face made it clear he was as serious about this task as he was when polishing silver or setting the table for visiting royalty.
"You are doing an excellent job, as well, Mr. Carson."
"Thank you, Mrs. Hughes. Eating porridge is a serious business, is it not, Master George?"
George looked at him for a moment and then opened his mouth very wide. Both Mrs. Hughes and Mr. Carson laughed.
"Here, Mr. Carson, why don't you let me do that and you can have a few bites before your bowl is cold. "
"We are doing quite well, Mrs. Hughes. Please help yourself to your own bowl and I will join you directly."
"Are you sure?"
"Quite."
Mrs. Hughes smiled and gently patted Mr. Carson on the back. Mr. Carson caught off guard by the touch, looked at Master George and raised his eyebrows. The toddler let out a giggle which brought a smile to Mr. Carson's face.