“That’s just the point, Lizzie. I’m sure there are plenty of wonderful words flying around that have never been written on a slip of paper. I want to record them.”

“Whatever for?”

“Because I think they’re just as important as the words Dr. Murray and Da collect,” I said.

“ ’Course they’s—” She stopped, corrected herself. “What I mean to say is, of course they are not. They’re just words we use ’cos we don’t know anything better.”

“I don’t think so. I think sometimes the proper words mustn’t be quite right, and so people make new words up, or use old words differently.”

Lizzie gave a little laugh. “The people I talk to at the Covered Market have no idea what the proper words are. Most of them can’t hardly read, and they stand all bewildered whenever a gentleman stops to chat.”

We finished peeling the potatoes, and Lizzie started cutting them in half and adding them to a large pot. I dried my hands on the warm towel hanging by the range.

“Besides,” Lizzie continued, “it ain’t right for a woman in service to be dawdling around them that like to use colourful language. It would reflect badly on the Murrays if I was seen to be engaging in the wrong sort of talk once I’ve finished my errands.”

I’d imagined a pile of words so big I’d need a new trunk to store them all in, but if Lizzie wouldn’t help I’d barely collect enough to strain my ribbon.

“Oh, please, Lizzie. I can’t wander around Oxford alone with no purpose. If you don’t do this for me, I might as well give it up.”

She finished cutting the last few potatoes, then turned to look at me. “Even if I did hang around eavesdropping, I’d only be welcome with the women. Men, even the sort that work the barges, would tame their talk for the likes of me.”

Another idea began to form. “Do you think there are some words that only women use, or that apply to women specifically?”

“I ’spose so,” she said.

“Would you tell me what they are?” I asked.

“Pass me the salt,” she said, lifting the lid off the potatoes.

“Well, will you?”

“I don’t think I could,” she said.

“Why not?”

“There’s some I won’t say and others I can’t explain.”

“Maybe I could come with you on your errands. I could be the one eavesdropping. I won’t get in your way or make you dawdle. I’ll just listen, and if I hear an interesting word I’ll write it down.”

“Maybe,” she said.