One evening, May was about to enter the dining room to clear away the dishes when she heard raised voices.

‘But David,’ Mrs Freeman was saying plaintively, ‘you always tell me that we must avoid all unnecessary expense, so that money can be ploughed back into the business. I am only trying to carry out your instructions.’

‘I know that.’ His voice was quieter, but there was an undertone of controlled impatience. ‘But we are not slave owners, Lydia, and this is not the southern states of America. Remember what the Bible says: “The labourer is worthy of his hire”.’

Mrs Freeman sighed and said submissively, ‘Very well, my dear. Whatever you think best.’

That seemed a good moment to interrupt, so May pushed open the door and went in.

‘Can I clear now, ma’am?’

Mr Freeman looked round from his chair. ‘Ah! Just the girl we’ve been talking about, right on cue. Come here, May.’

May went to stand in front of him. A quick glance at his face told her that he was not angry, so presumably she had not done anything wrong.

‘I’m told the dress was a great success, much admired by the other ladies. Well done!’

‘Thank you, sir.’

He put his hand in his pocket and produced some coins. He held one up.

‘Do you know what this is?’

‘No, sir.’

‘It’s a sovereign. It is worth one pound, or twenty shillings. What about this one?’

‘No, sir.’

‘It is a half sovereign, worth ten shillings. If I add two more, that makes a total of …?

‘Fifty shillings, sir.’ Why was he testing her on her arithmetic?

‘Now, I have been making some enquiries and I am told that the usual wage for a girl in your position, after deductions for board and lodging, is six pounds per annum. That works out, if I am not mistaken, at ten shillings per month. You have been with us now for five months, so that adds up to …?

‘Fifty shillings, sir.’

‘Precisely. So here you are.’ He held out the coins.

May gazed at them, making no attempt to take them.

‘Come along, don’t be afraid. These are for you.’

She raised her eyes to his face. ‘What … what should I do with them, sir?’

‘What? Well, for a start you should put them away in a safe place. Then, well, why don’t you buy yourself a nice cape to wear instead of that old shawl, and a pretty bonnet?’

‘When would I do that, sir?’

‘Why, when you go shopping.’

She searched his face. He might belong to a different order of beings, for all he understood of her life. ‘I don’t go shopping, sir.’

A frown crossed his brow and she saw again that pained, puzzled look. ‘Well, perhaps you should, sometime soon. Meanwhile, take the money and look after it. It’s yours, honestly earned, and there will be ten shillings every month from now on.’