Salem Street

by Anna Jacobs

  Christmas in Salem Street was celebrated on a much less lavish scale. The Gibsons and the Peters went to chapel twice; the O’Connors went to their Catholic church at midnight on Christmas Eve; and no one else bothered with the observance of any religious formalities.

  By the end of the day, the Dykes were drunk enough to have another fight and break a window, which made Emily mad as fire, and Barmy Charlie was singing away to himself down at Number Eight. Even Sally, after a solitary Christmas dinner, because Harry couldn’t get away from his family at such a time, allowed herself a few generous measures of gin to dull the edge of her loneliness.

  In almost no time, it seemed, Annie had been at Park House for a year. Even Mrs Lewis now conceded to Mrs Cosden, the cook, that Annie was “coming along” and “not as bad as the last one” which, for her, was high praise indeed. At the end of the year she presented Annie, who had grown considerably, with some lengths of material and told her to make herself some more clothes as quickly as possible.

  Annie asked Bet’s advice, for she had no idea of how to cut out a dress. She was now on good enough terms to be the recipient of confidences about the butcher’s boy, with whom Bet was walking out. Bet sent her up to talk to Katy, who was noted for her skill as a needlewoman. In return for some extra help in the nursery, Katy agreed to help Annie cut out and make up some new dresses.

  “My mam taught me to sew,” said Annie wistfully, fingering one of Miss Marianne’s new aprons, on to which Katy was sewing a lace trim, “but not the fancy stuff or embroidery, and I haven’t learned to cut out.”

  “You’ll never get on if you can’t sew well, young Annie,” Katy said patronisingly, with all the superior knowledge of one who had spent fifteen years in service to the gentry. “They always expect you to make your own clothes, even if they buy the material, and to mend their clothes, too.”

  Annie, who liked Katy best of all the other servants and who greatly respected her hard-working, no-nonsense attitude, meekly agreed.

  “If you want, I could give you a few lessons.”

  “Oh, yes, please, Katy. I’d be ever so grateful!”

  “All right, then. You’re a good kid, not like that Bet.”

  Annie goggled at this criticism of Bet, who knew so much more than she did.

  “She’ll come to a bad end, will that Bet,” prophesied Katy. “Man-mad, she is, and always has been. Men is the ruin of us maids – or can be, if we let ’em have their way. You watch out you don’t get taken in by a man, young Annie.”

  “No, Katy.” Annie giggled a little at the mere idea of a man taking an interest in her. She was still as angular and undeveloped as a boy and was bitterly disappointed that she hadn’t yet started to get her figure, like her friend Ellie. Bet, at eighteen, was the proud possessor of lush curves and rosy cheeks. Annie was sometimes sunk in despair about her own body, her pale complexion and most of all about her red hair – though there were some signs that its harsh tint was toning down to a more acceptable auburn. But this was not happening fast enough for Annie, with Mabel jeering “Carrots!” whenever she was in a bad mood. Mr Hinchcliffe might preach about the perils of the flesh and the sin of vanity, but Annie always included in her prayers a humble request for just a few curves and some colour in her cheeks, if God didn’t mind, please.

  When the new clothes were finished, even Mrs Lewis deigned to compliment Annie on the improvement in her appearance and to suggest a new way of doing her hair. Annie had such a mass of it that it could not just be tied back and left hanging down her back. Really, Annabelle thought, watching Annie bob a curtsey and leave, that child has turned out surprisingly well! And she might be ignorant about the finer points of living, but I’ve never had to speak to her for laziness. I’ve never before allowed Jeremy to foist one of his waifs and strays on to me, but for once he was right.

  If only Jeremy would show more sense in other matters, she thought, staring out of the window at the grey town she hated! He was getting far too interested in that research of his and even talked about it at dinner parties sometimes. Ugh! As if anyone wanted to hear about the problems of childbirth! The Purbrights were the only ones who seemed to enjoy such talk, heaven knew why! You’d think people who owned a big mill would have had enough of the operatives and their problems during the day. She and Frederick Hallam, who was really a most cultured man, had to smile at each other sometimes across a dinner-table or drawing-room, when the others went on about the living conditions of the poor, or other rubbish of the same sort. As if the poor didn’t deserve all they got!

  It had taken Frederick Hallam several months to win over Annabelle Lewis. He had realised almost from the beginning that she was a cold fish, and would probably be useless in bed, but he’d been intrigued by the challenge of captivating her. And, by George, he had done it! It was Frederick and Annabelle now, and cosy chats in corners and alcoves, not to mention the occasional meeting in Manchester. He didn’t know why he bothered, really, because she certainly was not going to give him anything except her company, but he enjoyed watching her affected mannerisms almost as much as he enjoyed seeing his silly fool of a wife squirm when he talked to other women.

  Jeremy Lewis, though, didn’t even seem interested in the fact that his wife was flirting with another man, and servants’ gossip said they had separate bedrooms. If Frederick had not seen the good doctor going into a certain house of assignation in Manchester one day, he might have believed that Jeremy was as cold a fish as his wife. It just went to show that you never could tell.

  Just after Annie’s second Christmas at Park House, Bet was discovered to be pregnant and was summarily dismissed by Mrs Lewis, after a shrill harangue on immorality that was audible even in the kitchen. Bet’s sobs could be heard all over the house and none of the servants was allowed near her. She was turned out of the house within an hour of Mrs Lewis finding out about her condition and the mistress seemed to take the matter as a personal affront.

  It put Mrs Cosden in a bad mood straight away, losing Bet’s services in the kitchen. It also gave Annie a great deal of extra work.

  Annabelle, afraid that the moral infection might have spread, summoned her maids one by one to her boudoir. “Ah, come in, Annie. I should like to speak to you.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Annie bobbed a curtsey, clasped her hands together over her apron, because Mrs Lewis couldn’t stand servants who fidgeted when she was speaking to them, and fixed a clear, unblinking gaze upon her mistress.

  “Are you aware of why Bet was dismissed?”

  Annie nodded her head. “Yes, ma’am. Because she’s goin’ to ’ave – I mean, have a baby.”

  “Yes. And are you aware of how wrong she was to behave in such a manner?”

  “Oh, yes, ma’am!”

  “It is the duty of every female, whatever her station in life, to keep herself pure. If, and only if, one gets married, are relations with a man permissible. I trust I make myself clear, Annie?”

  “Yes, ma’am. Like they tell us in church, ma’am.” Annie mouthed the phrases which would satisfy her mistress. It had taken her a while to understand what the parson of Mrs Lewis’s church meant by fornication and adultery. Even Mr Hinchcliffe went on about it sometimes, but he used milder language. She and Ellie had giggled about one such sermon afterwards, but Matt had overheard them and had scolded them for making light of important matters.

  Matt was doing well at the mill. Because he could read and write so well, Mr Hallam had told the foreman to keep an eye on him and teach him as much as he could. Sam used to tell Annie about his son’s progress sometimes, when they had a minute to spare after she’d cleaned the doctor’s rooms.

  Sam and Elizabeth were very proud of their son; it was only Ellie who worried Sam. She still hated working at the mill, and was getting very thin and peaky, in spite of working hours being reduced to twelve a day for children her age by the new Factory Act. Sam thought that she ought to stop working there, but her mother wouldn’t hear of it, which had cau
sed a few rows between them, Ellie said.

  Ellie’s mother, Annie thought, got grumpier as she got older, and more penny-pinching, too. She herself had heard Mrs Peters scolding Ellie about her silly notions and fussy ways. “You should learn to accept what life brings you,” Mrs Peters had shouted, “because what it brings in the main is trouble, an’ you can’t afford to be finicky.”

  Annie thought privately that it was just Ellie’s money her mother wanted. Mrs Peters had been a bit funny ever since the death of Lily from the fever and the new baby, Samuel, hadn’t made much difference. Mrs Peters had nearly driven her family mad lately, fussing about keeping the house clean. Annie didn’t enjoy going there any more. You were frightened to touch anything.

  Annie realised that Mrs Lewis was still speaking and dragged her attention back reluctantly.

  “Of course, I realise that Bet’s leaving like this will give you a lot of extra work. You can be assured that as soon as I find a suitable girl, I shall engage her. Mabel and Katy will give you some extra help, and you will take over Bet’s duties. Although you’re young, you’re doing very well, but don’t let this praise go to your head. You still have a lot to learn. You will receive six pounds a year – er – from the next quarter.”

  “Yes, ma’am. Thank you, ma’am.” Annie suddenly had a wonderful idea and stood hesitating by the door. Dare she make a suggestion to the mistress?

  “Please, ma’am …”

  “Yes. What is it?” Mrs Lewis was already thinking about something else.

  “Please, ma’am, if you’re looking for another girl, well, I know one as would …”

  “Who would!”

  “Sorry, ma’am, who would like to find a job in service. Beggin’ your pardon, ma’am, an’ I don’t mean to be cheeky.”

  Annabelle looked at Annie thoughtfully. It wasn’t her normal custom to take on girls recommended by fellow servants. On the other hand, Annie had made the request politely and this was only a position as a general skivvy. “Oh, yes? I might be interested. Who is this girl?”

  “It’s Ellie Peters, ma’am, the daughter of Mr Peters, the doctor’s assistant.”

  That was a point in the girl’s favour, at least. Sam had been with Dr Lewis for over three years now and even Mrs Lewis was aware that he was a solid, respectable sort of man, considering his lowly background.

  “And how old is your friend?”

  “She’s thirteen, ma’am. She’s been working in the mill …”

  Mrs Lewis pulled a face.

  “ … but she hates it, ma’am!” Annie finished desperately. “She’d give anything to get out, to find a job like mine.”

  Annabelle sighed. Servants! What a nuisance they were! Just as soon as you’d trained one, she left or did something that forced you to dismiss her. “Is she clean and hardworking?”

  Annie smiled visibly at that. “Mrs Peters, her mother, is the cleanest person I’ve ever met,” she said frankly.

  “Can she read and write?”

  “Yes, ma’am. We both went to the same classes at Sunday School, ma’am.”

  “Mmm. Well, you may tell Mr Peters to bring his daughter to see me tomorrow at ten. If she appears suitable, I’ll give her a trial.” She nodded dismissal and Annie scurried out, bumping into the doctor in the hallway.

  “Ooops! I’m sorry, sir!”

  He laughed. “That’s all right, young Annie. You look happy.”

  “I am, sir. Mrs Lewis is goin’ to see my friend Ellie Peters about a place here, now that Bet’s left.” She stopped and her hand flew up to her mouth. There she was, chattering on again. Would she never learn to hold her tongue? “Sorry, sir.”

  “Why? For being happy? It’s nice to see a smiling face. Sam’s in the dispensary at the moment, rolling pills. Why don’t you go and tell him of Mrs Lewis’s offer?”

  “Oh, yes, sir. Thank you, sir.” It was funny how he rarely said ‘my wife’, just Mrs Lewis. In fact, he rarely spoke to the mistress at all when there weren’t other folks around. Probably too busy thinking about his patients.

  Ellie was taken on, in spite of her mother’s objections to losing some income. Sam put his foot down, for once. They were not that short of money! He didn’t know why Elizabeth was so hard on the girl. Hadn’t she noticed how sickly Ellie had been looking lately? Didn’t she know that some girls became ill and died, from working in all that fluff? And besides, it was about time Ellie had a bit of money of her own. Let the lass keep her wages, like others did. Let her have a bit of fun. The hard times would come soon enough once she settled down and had a family of her own.

  Elizabeth was furious, but Sam remained adamant.

  Annie’s life suddenly became twice an enjoyable as before and it only took a few weeks for Ellie to become her old rosy self again. Unlike Annie, she had a relatively easy induction into a general maid’s duties. Annie helped her over the first few difficult days, shielding her alike from Mrs Cosden’s sharp tongue and from the mistress’s sharp eyes. And Ellie was so gentle and willing to learn, so little resentful when scolded, that even Mabel said she would maybe scrape through.

  As for Miss Marianne, who was now five, she took a great fancy to Ellie and it had to be Ellie who carried up her tray and Ellie who brought up her hot water morning and evening, not Annie. Miss Marianne was growing up into a real charmer, the servants said to each other, with her father’s kindness and warmth, and the same charm as her mother could turn on when they had guests – only with Miss Marianne, it was genuine.

  The little girl went every day now to share lessons with the Purbrights’ daughters, who had a governess to teach them their letters and the accomplishments necessary to a lady. Later on, Annabelle told Jeremy, Marianne would need a governess of her own, but for the moment Katy looked after her well enough and was considerably cheaper, at only twelve pounds a year. Besides, it was better for Marianne to have the chance to play with other children.

  As Marianne seemed very happy with the arrangement, Jeremy didn’t interfere. He didn’t want a governess coming between himself and his daughter. The time he spent playing with her, or taking her for a walk was the highlight of his day. Apart from his work and his child, Jeremy’s life was empty, and he often felt angry about that.

  7

  1834 to 1837

  During the next three years Emily presented John Gibson with two children, both boys, and Annie felt a distance grow between herself and her family. Tom was going through that stage common to lads, where he hated girls and wanted nothing to do with his sisters. He had shown little aptitude for his studies and when Sergeant Brown’s successor died, John took him away from school and for lack of any other opportunities put him into the mill.

  There, Tom mixed with a set of rough lads, of whom his father disapproved, and got into more fights than other lads in the street did. To his disgust, he now had to have some schooling at work, because the new inspectors came to the mill and said all those under fourteen had to attend classes for two hours a day.

  Mr Hallam hired a schoolmaster and put some benches and desks into one of the outhouses. At first, the lads played up and made the little lasses, sitting at the other side of the classroom, cry, but Mr Hallam came out in person and told them they’d have money docked out of their wages if they didn’t behave, and if they didn’t like schooling, they could always find themselves another job. That threat was enough to improve behaviour immediately. Hallam’s was the best mill to work in and they all knew it. Within a few weeks, Mr Hallam had found another stricter schoolmaster and bought him a big leather strap, which clinched matters.

  “You want to do your best at them classes, our Tom,” John said one night. “Eh, we should’ve thought oursen in heaven if we’d been let off work to do lessons like that.”

  “Well, I don’t call a draughty old outhouse heaven, when the sun’s shining outside, and it’ll be worse in there come the winter,” Tom replied sulkily. “Besides, I can’t see what good these questions and answers do.” He p
ulled a face and declaimed in a loud voice, “ ‘What is the nature of the heavens?’ Who cares what’s up in the sky? I mean, Dad, what use is that ever goin’ to be to me?”

  “What else do you have to learn?” asked John, unable to answer that one.

  “Verses from the Bible.”

  John’s face cleared. “Why, that’s wonderful, lad. The Scriptures are sent to guide us through this vale of trouble.”

  “I don’t see how they can guide us when we can’t understand them stupid long words!” muttered Tom, but out of his father’s hearing.

  Everyone in the town, rich and poor alike, was surprised that Frederick Hallam insisted on strict attendance at his little school, when he could have got away with a pretend schoolroom like Jonas Dawton and only filled it when the inspectors were in town. Hallam’s school was a nine-day wonder, then folk began to get used to it, and some of Dawton’s workers actually complained because their children weren’t getting any schooling.

  When he was thirteen, and as tall as his father, Tom refused to go any more to Sunday School classes, saying that he had had enough schooling. He got his way on that, but he didn’t dare refuse to attend chapel in the morning. Tom knew his father would never have stood for that, so he didn’t even try. Like his father, Tom was solidly built, with curly brown hair, but he was already harder than John had ever been, and more ready to take advantage of those around him.

  When Annie was at home on her days off, the two of them often exchanged sharp words. Tom didn’t like the way she talked and he called her Miss Mincy-Mouth to her face. She didn’t like his coarse language and dirty ways, and had no hesitation in saying so. She got on no better with Lizzie, who was fat, dull-eyed and sly, clinging to her stepmother when Annie was around, as if to emphasise the fact that although Annie didn’t belong in the family now, she did.