The Doorstep Girls

by Valerie Wood

  ‘Yes,’ Ruby nodded. ‘Though I’d rather spend ’money on summat else. But what else can I do?’

  ‘I need my shawl,’ Grace said urgently, conscious of time passing. ‘I’m going to a meeting.’

  Ruby fetched the shawl and handed it to her. ‘At Dock Green?’

  ‘No. I’ll tell you about it later.’ She wrapped the shawl around herself. ‘I’ve got regular work,’ she beamed. ‘And I’ll tell you about that too when I get back.’

  She had hoped that Mr Newmarch would be at the coffee house too, for she felt she would be less nervous if he was there, having had previous conversations with him. Disappointingly he wasn’t, but both ladies and another companion were already waiting for her at a table in a corner of the room.

  Miss Gregory rose on seeing her enter, and waved to her to come across. She dipped her knee as Miss Gregory introduced her to the other young woman, whose name she said was Miss Daisy Emerson. All three ladies were wearing hats and gloves, and plain though elegant outfits.

  Miss Gregory indicated that she should be seated and asked if she would take a cup of chocolate or coffee. Grace shyly asked for chocolate, which was brought with a plate of sweet biscuits.

  ‘Miss Sheppard! I asked Mr Newmarch if he would ask you to meet us,’ Miss Gregory spoke first, ‘because I heard you speak at Dock Green and was most impressed by your manner and confidence. I spoke on the same day, but I regret that what I had to say didn’t have the same impact.’

  Grace took a sip of chocolate and felt the sweet creamy richness run down her throat. ‘But that’s easily explained, Miss Gregory. That day at Dock Green the people there were ordinary working folk, or if they weren’t working, then they wanted to be. They were more concerned about earning money to feed and clothe themselves than they were about giving ’women same rights as men, which is what you were asking for.’

  She took another sip of chocolate and licked her lips, then added with growing confidence, ‘Where I live, women do have equal rights. They work ’same hours as their menfolk, when they can get work that is.’ She hesitated, then said thoughtfully, ‘Though they don’t earn as much.’

  ‘I understand you are no longer working at the mill,’ Mrs Westwood remarked. ‘Have you found other employment?’

  Grace glanced at Miss Emerson. ‘Yes, thank you. I’m working at a house in High Street and at ’offices at Masterson and Rayner.’

  ‘As an office worker?’ Mrs Westwood persisted.

  ‘As a scullery maid,’ she replied and pondered on why they were questioning her.

  ‘I understand that the cotton mill terminated your work because you were heard speaking at Dock Green,’ Miss Emerson broke in.

  ‘I don’t think so, miss.’ Grace was quick to refute this. ‘Decline in ’cotton industry, so I understand.’

  The three ladies smiled. ‘Oh, well said,’ Miss Gregory applauded. ‘You have learned tact and diplomacy at a young age.’

  ‘Mr Newmarch – Martin Newmarch, that is – told my father that you had been asked to leave because of your speech,’ Miss Emerson murmured into her cup.

  ‘Your father, miss?’

  She nodded. She was a bright sparky young woman, younger than Miss Gregory, perhaps not much more than twenty. ‘Emerson,’ she said. ‘He was formerly a director at the mill but resigned over a management disagreement. Did you not see him speaking with Mr Newmarch as you left our house on Tuesday?’ She turned to Mrs Westwood. ‘We discussed you at supper, did we not, Emma? That’s why I came along today. I wanted to meet you. It’s so good to meet someone as brave as you, who will say what they feel.’

  ‘I’m not brave, Miss Emerson. Some might say that I was foolish to take that risk, especially when I need to work.’

  ‘Did none of your fellow workers stand up for you, Miss Sheppard?’ Miss Gregory questioned curiously. ‘I understand that you spoke up for them over a wages issue.’

  ‘How could they, miss?’ Grace thought of that day when the women had marched behind her when she had pleaded for their wages to be paid. ‘They might have lost their own jobs.’

  ‘Indeed they might.’ Miss Gregory was thoughtful. ‘And you must have to work extremely hard now to make up for the loss of your employment at the mill?’

  Grace began to feel impatient. What did these ladies know of hard work? Why had they asked her here? She put her reddened chapped hands in front of them. ‘These are my hands, able to work.’ She flexed her fingers, which were slim and long. ‘I’m strong, though I might not look it. Ladies.’ She looked at them frankly and in turn. ‘What do you want of me?’

  Miss Gregory’s eyebrows rose at her directness and then she started to explain. ‘Very shortly, Mrs Westwood, Miss Emerson and myself are to join other similarly inclined women, to tour northern towns to proclaim the rights of women. As you are concerned about working children and the fact that they are taking the work from adults, and speak most eloquently and sympathetically on that issue, we would like you to join us.’ She leaned towards Grace whilst the other two watched her intently. ‘Please say that you will.’

  Grace gave a nervous exclamation. ‘How can I, Miss Gregory? I’ve got to work and I’ve no money for travelling.’ And no clothes or boots to carry me, she thought. What are they thinking of? These ladies live in a different world from me.

  ‘There would be no expense in travelling,’ Miss Emerson chipped in. ‘My father is providing a carriage.’

  ‘I have no money or carriage either,’ Miss Gregory sympathized, as if she was in the same predicament as Grace. ‘And I intend to go.’

  ‘And we will stay in the homes of ladies who are fervent about the cause,’ Mrs Westwood said. ‘We have an open invitation.’

  ‘But I would have to give up work,’ Grace insisted. ‘And my mother and father need my money.’

  They were silenced then, until Mrs Westwood asked, ‘Would you like to speak to your parents first? I have met your mother and found her a very forward-thinking and intelligent woman. Perhaps she would prefer that you were doing something constructive with your life?’

  Grace could make no answer to that. It was true that her mother did have many opinions which she was prepared to voice.

  ‘And if you were thinking that you had nothing suitable to wear,’ Miss Emerson added softly, ‘for it is always the first thing that I think of when asked to go anywhere, why, I have many gowns that would fit you, for we are of a similar size.’

  Grace glanced from one to another. They seemed sincere, but what could she say that would make a difference? Besides, things were supposed to be improving for working people. ‘My father told me he had read in a newspaper that the Act of 1847, last year, laid down a ten-hour day and a fifty-eight-hour week for women and children over thirteen.’ Her father had been scornful, she remembered.

  ‘It did,’ Miss Emerson agreed, ‘and in ’44 an Act was passed where children below that age should only work a six-and-a-half-hour day.’ She sat back and folded her hands in her lap. ‘And that is the reason why my father resigned from the board at the mill. There is a loophole, apparently, and factory and mill owners are flouting it.’

  ‘I see.’ Grace was dismayed. ‘I didn’t know.’

  ‘That is why it is imperative that you come with us,’ Miss Gregory implored. ‘People need to be reminded of what their rights are.’

  ‘But why me?’ Grace looked at her from scared eyes.

  ‘Because, my dear, they will believe you. They will recognize that you are speaking for them.’

  ‘Yes,’ Grace murmured, seeing the truth in that. ‘Of course.’ She chewed on her lip. ‘Do I have to decide now?’

  ‘Of course not.’ Miss Gregory smiled and shook her head. ‘It is most important that you give it considerable thought and speak to your parents about it, even though I’m sure you are capable of making up your own mind. But discuss it with them and if you decide to come with us, we shall be departing in about two weeks’ time. We shall go to West Yorkshire,
Preston and Oldham and be away for several weeks.’

  ‘What shall I do, Ma?’ Grace asked, after discussing it with her mother late that afternoon. ‘Would it do any good?’

  ‘Won’t do any harm,’ her mother replied thoughtfully. ‘Except mebbe to you. You’d lose both jobs and they mebbe won’t take you back.’

  ‘Miss Emerson said that I’d be able to go back to work at their house if I still wanted to. She’d make sure that they took me back. But I’d probably lose my job at Masterson and Rayner. Which would be a pity, cos I like it there. There’s nobody to tell me what to do, I can organize myself.’

  ‘Aye, it’s all very well Miss Emerson saying that you’d be tekken back,’ her mother declared. ‘But Cook might not want you back. She doesn’t like unreliable workers and she rules ’kitchen, not Miss Emerson!’

  ‘I’ll ask Da what he thinks,’ Grace decided, as she contemplated a decision which might change her life.

  Her father had a story of his own to tell when he came home from the woodyard. ‘I’d such a fright this morning,’ he began. ‘I was sweeping up ’yard and restacking some of ’timber, when I saw somebody come through ’gate. When I got a proper gander at him I realized it was Tom Hanson.’ He indicated with his thumb across the court to the Hansons’ house.

  He sat down in his chair and exhaled. ‘So! I thought that’s it then, he’s come back beggin’ for labouring work and I’ll be out on my neck!’

  Grace stared and her mother put her hand to her mouth. This could be really bad news and might determine Grace’s decision.

  ‘Anyway,’ he went on. ‘I saw him go into gaffer’s office and I could see them talking through ’window. I hung about for a bit and then they came out.’ His face was suddenly wreathed in a grin. ‘And then Hanson came over. He told me that he was coming back to help in ’training of apprentices. He said that even though he onny had one good hand, he could still show them how to measure and cut and mitre, and how to hone and polish.’ He gave a huge sigh and briefly closed his eyes. ‘I can’t tell you what relief I felt.’ His voice cracked as he continued. ‘I don’t think I could have come home if I’d been told I was finished.’

  Lizzie briefly patted his shoulder and then turned to take the pan off the fire. Her voice too was subdued as she said, ‘Tell your da, Grace, about what happened to you today.’

  Grace related the outcome of her meeting with the three ladies, not giving any indication as to what her feelings were in the matter. The three of them then sat down at the table and ate their soup in silence.

  When they had finished, her parents looked at each other and then at Grace. ‘We think you should go,’ her mother said.

  ‘But – we haven’t discussed it!’ Grace exclaimed.

  ‘We don’t need to.’ Her father was emphatic. ‘Your ma and me agreed a long time ago that you don’t get anywhere in life unless occasionally you tek a chance. And you’re young enough to tek that chance. We’re not any more, so you’d better go and fight for us and for them that come after.’

  Grace felt a lump in her throat. ‘It might not do any good,’ she began.

  ‘It mebbe won’t,’ her father agreed. ‘But you’ll not know unless you try.’

  ‘Will you be able to manage without my wages?’ Her eyes swam with tears. She had never been away from home or her parents.

  ‘There’ll be more for us to eat, won’t there?’ her father joked. ‘We all know what a gannet you are!’

  She gave a trembling smile. ‘So I’ll tell them, shall I? I said I’d meet Miss Emerson tomorrow to let them know.’

  ‘Aye,’ her mother said, and there was a gleam of pride in her eyes. ‘You tell ’em.’

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  ‘What do you mean, you’re going away?’ Ruby demanded when Grace told her of her plans. ‘How can you go? What will I do? Who will I talk to?’ She clutched Grace’s arm. ‘Please don’t go, Grace. It’s a mad idea.’

  ‘But Ruby! You’re seeing Mr Newmarch.’ Grace dropped her voice, for they were in the Market Place on Saturday morning. ‘You can talk to him. You won’t need me and anyway it’s only for a few weeks.’

  Ruby gasped. ‘Talk to him? I can’t talk to him. He doesn’t ever want to talk! He’s so passionate, Grace. He said last night that I mustn’t see anybody else, but only him.’

  Grace felt uncomfortable; she didn’t really want to hear about Edward Newmarch’s passion.

  ‘And don’t ever say that I won’t need you, Grace,’ Ruby said vehemently. ‘I’ll allus need you. You’re my best friend!’

  ‘I know that,’ Grace said gently. ‘But I have to do this. Don’t you remember when we said that we would support each other in whatever we decided to do?’

  ‘Yes,’ Ruby wailed. ‘But I didn’t think it meant that we should be parted. What’ll I do without you, Grace?’

  ‘You’ll manage very well.’ Grace was being as patient as possible. ‘And at least you’ll be still at home with everyone that you know, and I’ll be alone with complete strangers.’

  ‘Oh, Grace! Will they look down on you for being poor – those grand ladies? You must let them know that you are as good as they are in spite of having no learning or money! Here!’ She felt in her pocket. ‘Take these two shillings. Go on.’ She saw Grace’s eyes open wide. ‘I’ve plenty.’

  Grace shook her head. ‘I don’t need your money, Ruby, but thank you anyway. I’ve got my wages and I shall have next week’s as well before I leave,’ and she gave an involuntary shudder at the idea of using Edward Newmarch’s money. ‘I’m going to ’baths this afternoon,’ she announced. ‘Do you want to come?’

  ‘Yes,’ Ruby agreed eagerly. ‘But let me pay, please, Grace.’

  So Grace reluctantly agreed that Ruby should pay this time, but determined that she would give her the penny back at some stage. She was going later in the day to Miss Emerson’s to try on some of her clothing, hence her bathing. I may be poor but she’ll see that I’m clean, she decided. However, on presenting herself at the Emersons’ back door as usual and being shown upstairs to Miss Emerson’s room, she found one of the maids, Molly, whom she had met before, there to greet her.

  Molly smiled at her. ‘Hello, Grace. Miss Emerson said would I help you with these.’ She pointed to the bed, which had gowns and petticoats laid upon it. ‘What’s happening?’ She dropped her voice to a whisper. ‘These are too good for a scullery maid!’

  It wasn’t said with animosity. Molly was merely stating a fact, and she was right. The gowns were much too good for a scullery maid. Though they were not fancy or elaborate, the cloth was costly, being velvet or silk, and the colours plain. Miss Emerson had also thought to include muffs and bonnets, and an umbrella.

  Grace shot a look of dismay at Molly. ‘I can’t wear these,’ she said. ‘No-one would believe in anything I said, if I did,’ and she quickly explained to the maid why she was here trying on these clothes.

  ‘You’re right,’ Molly agreed. ‘No-one would believe that you’d been a mill girl.’ She examined Grace critically, up and down, and then smiled. ‘You don’t look like a mill girl anyway, even in your own clothes. You could be a proper lady, Grace, if you were dressed right and spoke like them upstairs.’

  She searched amongst the gowns and brought out a plain grey wool one with a white lace collar. ‘This is meant to have an overskirt and several petticoats,’ she said. ‘But if you wore it as it is, with just your shawl, it would look presentable and tidy without being too grand. Try it on,’ she urged.

  Grace slipped off her skirt and bodice and Molly handed her a crisp white petticoat to put underneath the dress. ‘And what’s this?’ Grace picked up a garment in red flannel.

  ‘It’s another petty. Would you like to wear it? It’d keep you warm.’

  ‘Oh yes, please!’ Grace was delighted by the bright scarlet colour. ‘It’s ’colour of a poppy.’ She put it on and swirled around. ‘It’s so daring,’ she laughed.

  Between them they c
hose the grey, and a similar gown in dark blue, for Molly insisted that she would need at least two if she was going to be away for several weeks. ‘And I’ll pack several petticoats as well,’ she said, ‘ ’cos they get so grubby. What about pantaloons or drawers?’ she murmured, casting a glance at Grace. ‘Miss Emerson always wears them.’

  Grace gasped and put her hand to her mouth to hide her amusement. ‘I don’t know,’ she gurgled. ‘I’ve never worn them!’

  ‘Me neither,’ Molly laughed. ‘So we’ll not bother wi’ them.’ She put to one side the two gowns, a selection of petticoats, including the red one, three pairs of stockings, a grey bonnet and an extra shawl. ‘Miss Emerson will want to see what we’ve chosen,’ she commented. ‘And we’d better put in this cloak for travelling in. Oh, and these boots. Try them. See if they fit.’

  Grace pulled on a pair of narrow-toed boots in the softest black leather and Molly laced them for her. ‘Oh!’ Grace exlaimed, as she felt their softness about her bare toes. ‘What bliss. I shan’t want to give them back!’

  Molly sat back on her heels. ‘Oh,’ she said. ‘I thought they were yours for keeps!’

  Grace shook her head. ‘No. Onny for borrowing.’

  ‘Ruby!’ Edward toyed with her hair, winding it around his fingers as she lay beside him.

  ‘Mmm?’ She turned towards him, knowing how he responded to the touch of her flesh on his. ‘What?’

  ‘I’ve something to tell you.’ He nuzzled into her neck and put his arms around her. ‘A surprise.’

  ‘Is it a nice surprise? I don’t like horrid ones.’

  ‘Of course.’ He nibbled at her ear. ‘You will only ever have nice ones from now on.’ He pulled her on top of him. ‘I’ve found us somewhere else instead of here.’

  ‘But I like it here,’ she pouted. The staff at the Vittoria were used to her now and nodded as she came through the doors and made her way upstairs to their usual room.

  ‘Yes, so do I,’ he agreed. ‘But sooner or later I’m going to meet up with someone I know. There are men from my club who frequent this hotel.’