With short, rapid footsteps, Miss Rye approached Mercy. “It became available last night when one of our women was arrested for immoral behavior.”

Mrs. Dotta pressed a hand against her lips as though capturing a gasp. “Oh, for shame.”

“Very much a shame, especially when she had such a good life ahead of her. Why she should throw away such a blessed opportunity is beyond my comprehension.” All the while Miss Rye spoke, she circled Mercy and studied her.

Mercy dug her fingers deeper into her skirt and tried tucking her muddy boots out of sight.

“Are you single?” Miss Rye asked, finally standing back and crossing her arms.

“Aye.”

“Any children?”

Mercy heated at the question but shook her head. “No, ma’am.”

“What are your skills?”

“Skills, ma’am?”

“Well-to-do families on Vancouver Island and in British Columbia are looking for domestics. Do you know how to sew or cook or clean? What type of work have you engaged in?”

“I’m not skilled at much of anything,” Mercy said. “Never been trained, nor have I had a job.”

Miss Rye’s severe expression didn’t change. “And how, pray, do you spend your days?”

The insinuation in the woman’s tone pricked Mercy. “I’m not immoral, ma’am. Not in the least.”

“Then you fill your days with idleness?”

Again Mercy bristled, insulted by the common perception that poor people like her were lazy and would rather spend their days drinking and gambling and thieving than working an honest job. “I’ve been tending my wee siblings while my mum works.”

Mercy couldn’t even begin to explain to these women all the work she did on a daily basis to help her siblings and the other children in her neighborhood. They wouldn’t understand how difficult her life was and how much energy it cost her. If people like her were idle, it wasn’t by choice. They’d gladly take a job if any were to be found.

“So you know a little bit about childcare?” Miss Rye asked.

“Aye, more than a little. If I don’t have one of my mum’s own babes on my hip, I’ve got one of the neighbor babes, that I do.”

Miss Rye nodded brusquely and strode toward a door on the opposite end of the room. “At such short notice, you’ll have to do.”

“Ma’am?” Mercy asked.

“Add her to the list, Mrs. Dotta.”

“But shouldn’t we interview her first?” Mrs. Dotta’s worried expression trailed after her superior. “We also need to confirm references, ensure she has no criminal record, and have the physician check her for illness and disease.”

“Have her provide a reference,” Miss Rye remarked as she opened the door of what appeared to be another office. “As for the rest, we simply do not have time.”

“But, Miss Rye . . .”

The petite lady paused and leveled a sharp look at Mercy. “Have you ever committed any crimes?”