Ming and Hilde Lead a Revolution (The Girls Who Changed the World, # by Jackie French

Author:Jackie French
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2023-04-27T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 16

NOT JUST A GOVERNESS

‘Master Edmund! Where have you been?’ A young woman in a gingham dress, white apron and mobcap bobbed a curtsey to Ming before hurrying across the entrance hall. ‘I’m Gladys, the nursery maid, Miss White. I look after Master Edmund.’

The boy was already holding out his arms to her. ‘Miss White is a horsey, Gladys! The nice lady with the sheep says Miss White doesn’t eat people at all. And I scratched a ram, Gladys! The biggest one you ever saw. He is a prince sheep! Big as an ephelant!’

‘Elephant,’ corrected Ming automatically, relieved of the weight. ‘I thought Nanny Groves cared for Master Edmund.’

‘Nanny Groves gave the orders,’ said Gladys carefully.

And you did the work, thought Ming. Edmund hadn’t seemed at all upset about his nanny leaving, but he was obviously fond of this young woman.

‘Can we have luncheon now? I’m hungry. Do I have to eat my tapioca now Nanny has gone? The girl with the sheep spoke funny, Gladys.’ He turned back to Ming. ‘Do you have nursery luncheon, Miss White?’

‘I think so,’ said Ming, unsure about her role in the household.

‘You say sorry for running away from Miss White,’ admonished Gladys.

‘I’m sorry, Miss White.’

‘That’s all right.’ Ming expected the whole household was gossiping about it now. ‘You thought I was a cannibal and going to eat you.’

He grinned at her. ‘Nanny said you would, but Miss Hilde said Nanny is silly. Nanny made me eat tapioca every day! I hate tapioca. I’m glad Papa said I am too old for a nanny. Can I wear trousers now Nanny has gone?’

‘I’ll have to ask your father,’ said Ming. ‘But trousers seem like a good idea.’

The nursery was a pleasant room, particularly now Nanny Groves was no longer in it: a long space with many windows looking out onto grassland and a creek twisting below the hill, lined with white-trunked gum trees. Bookcases lined the inner walls, filled not just with books but stuffed animals and wooden toys. There was a small child-sized table, and a full-sized one with four chairs. Luncheon was already laid out on the cloth. Ming was relieved to see three places set, obviously for her, Gladys and Edmund.

So, the story of Mr Montjoy planning to marry her was only prejudice and spite, now that Edmund needed a governess not a nanny, she thought with relief. And the luxury was simply kindness to the orphaned daughter of his friend, the position of governess a way to offer her a home.

A small troupe of maids carried in the trays, placing all the food on the table at the same time, instead of serving courses as Ming had known in the 1890s. I really must find out what year I am in, she thought, though any newspaper here might be weeks or months old.

The food was similar to the meals she had already eaten there: cold chicken, sliced bread and butter, lettuce hearts, sliced celery, radishes cut into rose shapes, and a vast apple tart.

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