‘Now, girls,’ Miss Bale said, ‘you are all aware that May and Patty will be leaving us soon. I have just learned where they will be going. Patty –’ she nodded towards her ‘– has been very fortunate. She will go to work at Speke Hall, which is a great house not far from the city.’ There was a murmur from the other girls, which expressed a combination of excitement and envy. ‘May –’ Miss Bale’s voice changed tone ‘– is going to work for a Mr and Mrs Freeman in the city. Mr Freeman is, I believe, in trade.’ There was no mistaking from the expression on the teacher’s face that she regarded that as a very inferior position. Even the very word ‘trade’ was spoken as if it produced an unpleasant smell.

May shifted uncomfortably, aware of pitying looks from the other girls. Then she lifted her chin. Mrs Kelly had said it would be a better position, whatever Miss Bale thought. Perhaps she was the lucky one after all.

Outside the room Patty gripped her arm. ‘May, I’m so sorry! It should have been you going to the big house. Do you mind very much?’

‘No, I don’t mind at all,’ May told her, trying to convince herself as well as her friend. ‘I expect I’ll be fine with Mr and Mrs Freeman.’

Much sooner than she had expected, May found herself standing in the governor’s office with her box at her feet. In the box were her few personal possessions – a grubby and almost bald toy monkey that her father had brought back from one of his voyages, a brooch that had belonged to her mother and the rag doll which had once been Angel’s. On top of these were her black uniform dress with a wide white lace collar, two aprons, two caps, two shifts and two pairs of woollen stockings. She was already wearing the simple print frock that would be her daytime uniform. Patty stood beside her with her own box.

The governor cleared his throat. ‘So, girls. You are about to start out on a new path. You have been brought up to be God-fearing and obedient, and to know your place. I want you to remember that whatever you do now will reflect on the upbringing you have received here. Your future employers will expect you to be diligent, hard-working and respectful. I trust that you will not disappoint them. Now, here are your letters testifying to your good character and your suitability for the roles you are about to undertake. Take great care of them. If at any time you should find it necessary to seek new employment, your current master or mistress will add a new one. Make sure that they have no reason to include anything but praise. Any girl leaving her position without a character reference will find it almost impossible to obtain a new situation. Do you understand me?’