knew how far she had gone off them, she thought.
So it was Sunday before she opened the writing case and carefully selected the fourth letter, a much longer one than the others she had so far read. Spreading the pages on the coffee table, she began to read.
My dearest Connie,
My education is continuing apace. My Greek and Latin have improved immeasurably in the past weeks, as have my English and French grammar. My knowledge of mathematics is now considerably wider, and Miss Prior has even been able to teach me a smattering of the science of natural history.
All this has come at a price, of course. The cane and martinet are frequent visitors to my bare bottom, at least three times a week now, although Miss Prior’s touch after my school room punishments does soothe me so!
I have not written for some time as there has been little to tell you about, and Miss Prior has been keeping me so hard at work, but last night I had the most remarkable experience and felt I must tell you about it immediately.
It concerns one of our maids, Molly. I do not believe she was with us when last you visited. She is about six months younger than I, not yet 19 years old, and still learning about being in domestic service. She is terribly eager to please but not very confident, so Father entrusted me with the task of educating her about her role in our household.
In spite of her low birth, Molly is a pretty, jolly girl, with curly red locks and a fresh complexion; quite clever in her own way, although very naive. She has learnt well but seems to have exceeding difficulty serving at table, which is, of course, one of the most important tasks she will have to perform in any household. For her own sake, therefore, I decided to take a leaf from Miss Prior’s book and employ her methods.
As Molly was stocking the linen cupboard yesterday morning I took the opportunity of speaking with her alone. I asked her to come to my room after she had finished her supper and before she went to bed that night. She was anxious as to what she had done wrong, but I gave her no hint of my mood or intentions.
As the day went on I finalised my plans, which involved asking another of the scullery maids to obtain for me a complete set of cutlery from the kitchen, without Molly’s knowledge. I had the silverware brought to my room, much to the scullery maid’s bewilderment.
It being a Saturday I had no lessons, Miss Prior taking the weekends for riding or walking as was her custom. Knowing that she would be galloping across the Downs and would not be back for some hours, I let myself into the schoolroom. Miss Prior did not lock her desk – what need is there for that? – and inside I found her martinet. The cane hung ominously on its hook in the side of the desk. Confident I would be able to return both items before breakfast this morning, I took them back to my room where I secreted them underneath the coverlet.
I spent the rest of the afternoon planning my approach to Molly’s education. As she helped serve dinner she cast me several nervous glances, seeming even more clumsy and careless than usual, and earning her a sharp reproach from Father.
At the appointed time, Molly arrived. She wore her shift and a simple dressing gown, and her freckled face was pale with apprehension. I was wearing my nightdress beneath my most expensive silk dressing gown. I felt it important to establish through my choice of clothing the authority my social status naturally allows me.
I told Molly to sit on a plain wooden chair while I stood before her. Miss Prior’s elevated position when she is at her desk always makes her appear far more intimidating to me. I was hoping for just such an effect with Molly, and judging by the way the poor girl trembled, I believe I achieved it. Would it not have the very same effect upon you, Connie?
‘I have noticed, Molly, that you make far too many mistakes when serving at table. You have been with us several months, and yet you still do
So it was Sunday before she opened the writing case and carefully selected the fourth letter, a much longer one than the others she had so far read. Spreading the pages on the coffee table, she began to read.
My dearest Connie,
My education is continuing apace. My Greek and Latin have improved immeasurably in the past weeks, as have my English and French grammar. My knowledge of mathematics is now considerably wider, and Miss Prior has even been able to teach me a smattering of the science of natural history.
All this has come at a price, of course. The cane and martinet are frequent visitors to my bare bottom, at least three times a week now, although Miss Prior’s touch after my school room punishments does soothe me so!
I have not written for some time as there has been little to tell you about, and Miss Prior has been keeping me so hard at work, but last night I had the most remarkable experience and felt I must tell you about it immediately.
It concerns one of our maids, Molly. I do not believe she was with us when last you visited. She is about six months younger than I, not yet 19 years old, and still learning about being in domestic service. She is terribly eager to please but not very confident, so Father entrusted me with the task of educating her about her role in our household.
In spite of her low birth, Molly is a pretty, jolly girl, with curly red locks and a fresh complexion; quite clever in her own way, although very naive. She has learnt well but seems to have exceeding difficulty serving at table, which is, of course, one of the most important tasks she will have to perform in any household. For her own sake, therefore, I decided to take a leaf from Miss Prior’s book and employ her methods.
As Molly was stocking the linen cupboard yesterday morning I took the opportunity of speaking with her alone. I asked her to come to my room after she had finished her supper and before she went to bed that night. She was anxious as to what she had done wrong, but I gave her no hint of my mood or intentions.
As the day went on I finalised my plans, which involved asking another of the scullery maids to obtain for me a complete set of cutlery from the kitchen, without Molly’s knowledge. I had the silverware brought to my room, much to the scullery maid’s bewilderment.
It being a Saturday I had no lessons, Miss Prior taking the weekends for riding or walking as was her custom. Knowing that she would be galloping across the Downs and would not be back for some hours, I let myself into the schoolroom. Miss Prior did not lock her desk – what need is there for that? – and inside I found her martinet. The cane hung ominously on its hook in the side of the desk. Confident I would be able to return both items before breakfast this morning, I took them back to my room where I secreted them underneath the coverlet.
I spent the rest of the afternoon planning my approach to Molly’s education. As she helped serve dinner she cast me several nervous glances, seeming even more clumsy and careless than usual, and earning her a sharp reproach from Father.
At the appointed time, Molly arrived. She wore her shift and a simple dressing gown, and her freckled face was pale with apprehension. I was wearing my nightdress beneath my most expensive silk dressing gown. I felt it important to establish through my choice of clothing the authority my social status naturally allows me.
I told Molly to sit on a plain wooden chair while I stood before her. Miss Prior’s elevated position when she is at her desk always makes her appear far more intimidating to me. I was hoping for just such an effect with Molly, and judging by the way the poor girl trembled, I believe I achieved it. Would it not have the very same effect upon you, Connie?
‘I have noticed, Molly, that you make far too many mistakes when serving at table. You have been with us several months, and yet you still do
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