I could see that Cynthia understood this as well. She made a wry face, gave me a wave, and headed for the door. “Thanks for the trouble, Mrs. H. Tess.” She left the kitchen with her usual rapid stride, and disappeared toward the back stairs.

“Fancy, I might be in a picture hanging high on someone’s wall.” Tess grinned, her knife flying over the carrots. “Won’t my friends laugh?”

“Miss Townsend might decide not to use our faces at all,” I said. “Or we’ll be so small no one will recognize us.”

Tess was not bothered. She continued with the carrots, humming a merry tune.

I did hope Miss Townsend did not make us recognizable. I could not imagine the embarrassment of appearing in a painting, no matter how innocuous that painting might be. I preferred anonymity and moving through life in a calm and peaceful manner. Much more comfortable all around.

*   *   *

Not until we’d caught up from the frenzy of breakfast and preparations for the midday meal did I have the chance to speak to Elsie. I moved to the scullery where Elsie clattered pans and dishes in her sink, singing with her usual off-key vigor.

I waited until she spied me in the doorway, not wishing to speak abruptly and startle her into dropping plates. Elsie blinked at me, shook water off her hands, dried them on a towel, and turned to await my orders.

“Mr. McAdam tells me you grew up in the Foundling Hospital,” I began, keeping my voice gentle but matter-of-fact.

Elsie gazed at me without worry. “I did.” Her forehead creased. “Why’d ya ask?”

I wasn’t certain how to broach the subject, not wanting to concern her until I knew whether there was something to be concerned about. “Last night I spoke to a vicar who is on the board of governors there.”

Her eyes widened. “A vicar? Has something happened? Is Mabel sick?”

“No, no,” I said quickly. “The vicar is a friend of Mr. McAdam’s.” I decided to keep the fact that Daniel and Mr. Fielding were foster brothers to myself. “He asked me to help him with a matter there, and Mr. McAdam indicated you came from the Hospital. He never mentioned anyone named Mabel.”

“Oh.” Elsie relaxed. “That’s all right then. Mabel is a great friend of mine—she’s a bit younger than me, so she’s still taking lessons. I took care of her when she first came. The older girls are assigned younger ones to look after, ya see. I thought perhaps one day, she could be a maid here.”

She gazed at me in hope, but I had to shake my head. “That is not for me to say, but I can put in a word for her if I think she will suit. Mrs. Bywater, as you know, is particular.”

Elsie stopped herself from sharing a disgruntled look with me, but only just.