Daughter of Trade

by Lesley-Anne McLeod

  Dinah maintained a worried introspection, and their trip to Vicar Lane was undertaken without further conversation.

  The dame school was busy and they were well occupied for more than three hours. Afterward, as they had sent the barouche to its stable earlier, they walked home. The exercise would be beneficial to them both, Dinah decreed, although she found that the wind cut through her cloak with remarkable ease. Harriet did not reply, but pulled her hood closer about her ears and hunched her shoulders.

  It was in the midst of dinner that evening that Harriet complained of dizziness. Dinah had been telling her father and four brothers about the fever that had begun to circulate among the infants of the dame school, when Harriet interrupted with her sudden ailment.

  Dinah hurried to her side, regretting their dissension and their walk home from the school earlier. Harriet was very pale and the pretty colour that her cheeks usually held had turned to spots of heat. Dinah put her hand on her sister's forehead.

  "Great heavens, my love, you are burning up. Come, up to bed with you." Over her shoulder, she said, "Hamilton are you feeling quite well? Geoffrey? You must not keep company with Harry until she is quite recovered."

  She helped her usually active younger sister from the dining room, amid a chorus of concern from the menfolk. She wished pointlessly for Adelaide's help and requested Pippy's attendance. Between them they put Harriet to bed, poked up the fire glowing in the grate and made preparations to assist the girl through an uncomfortable night.

  Dinah undertook the nursing in shifts with Pippy, bathing the sufferer's forehead with lavender water, helping her to sips of water. She could only think that Harriet had taken the illness from her daily governess and reproached herself for being insensitive to her sister's well-being. Another failure she could assign to Sebastian's influence she thought, unjustly.

  At breakfast the following morning Dinah felt confident in assuring her father that Harriet was suffering with no more than a feverish cold. He had visited his youngest daughter several times through the night, and had confided his concern for Harriet in anxious whispers to Dinah.

  "She is strong and healthy and will, I think, ail only briefly," Dinah said as she sipped her coffee. "The boys are well?"

  "They went off to school and work merry as grigs, all four," her father replied. "I looked in on Harry as I came down. She has the deuce of a snuffle has she not? Shall we get Hesler to step around?"

  "I think it could not come amiss. And with your permission Papa, I will leave Harriet to Pippy's mercies for an hour or two. I should like to investigate the dame school and visit some of the workers who attend at evening school. The working poor may suffer severely with this outbreak."

  "You will not leave your sister longer than two or three hours?" Mr. Driffield enquired. "You are quite well? You must not overtire yourself."

  Dinah knew that he wished for Mrs. Driffield's calm capabilities. And she was aware that her own face was pale from her wakeful night.

  "I'm fine. I shall be gone no longer than absolutely necessary," she said. "If we are fortunate this will not be far-reaching. Harriet is well supplied with pitchers of barley water and you know that Pippy is devoted to her."

  "Very well, my dear. I shall wait a little to see Hesler, and then go to my office. I will expect to see you there when you have finished and Joseph or John shall see you home."

  * * * *

  Sebastian, after his unsuccessful visit to Dinah with Matherton, determined the next day to visit Mr. Driffield at his manufactory. He had not seen that gentleman since his own return to Leeds and he wished to know the patriarch's opinion of his absence, and its cause. He could always use his interest in the canal business as a reason for his visit, he thought. If he could only discover if Josiah Driffield had condemned him, he might know whether he was warranted to continue to attempt to attach Dinah.

  He was uncommonly nervous as he greeted Driffield's chief clerk. He calmed himself by appreciating the well-ordered activity that prevailed in the large office. At least twenty men sat or stood at desks about the spotless chamber. A rectangular black stove warmed the room. The clerks conversed and consulted in quiet tones when necessary, otherwise the only sound was that of quills scratching industriously. The distant clatter of machinery provided a background of industrious noise.

  Sebastian was admitted to Mr. Driffield's office by the senior clerk. He returned the older man's pleasant smile with sincerity; he had enough acquaintance with the clerk to like and respect him.

  Mr. Driffield rose upon seeing him in the doorway, and said, "Come in Holly, come in."

  The greeting was hearty and warm. Sebastian could discern no change in the older man's demeanor and experienced a surge of thankful relief. The door had closed behind him before he realized Dinah's presence. His aplomb deserted him at the sight of her. She presented a delightful picture in a fine redingote of Sardinian blue and a velvet bonnet trimmed with feathers. It was, however, the gravity of her expression that caught his attention.

  He hesitated before acknowledging her with a deferential bow.

  "I'm happy to see you, Holly. My ladies told me you was returned. You will have wished to talk of the canal, I am sure," Josiah Driffield said, "but you will find the problem Dinah has presented of more interest I think. We have a fever plaguing some of the small children who usually attend at Dinah's dame school. They need to be cared for in their homes. But their mothers are working in my factory. This is a situation indeed of new origin, my lord. What to do?"

  "What indeed?" Sebastian forgot the constraint between himself and Dinah, and pondered the question. "Miss Driffield, if the children need attention, how should it be supplied?"

  She answered him with some slight display of consciousness. "We are speaking of children four and five years of age, my lord. If unwell, they cannot be left to the care of the older child stirring the pot in the home who is probably but nine herself and susceptible to the fever. They need their mother." She was earnest in her concern.

  "So do I free that mother from her shift to care for her children, Holly?" Driffield enquired.

  Sebastian was aware that he and Dinah were under careful scrutiny, but he turned his mind to the problem. "I think you must, sir. To do otherwise would be inhuman."

  "But then does she receive her wage for that shift?"

  "I think not. You cannot afford to do so."

  "But she cannot afford to be without the wage," Dinah said. "It is a question we have discussed before, my lord."

  "It is an untenable position," Sebastian said. He wished he had some answer that would impress Dinah with his wisdom. He was coming to understand that machinery made demands upon men and women that could not easily be satisfied.

  "It is a question that is new to our age, my lord," Mr. Driffield said, leaning back in his chair and steepling his broad fingers. "The problem of the working mother. Our solution is makeshift at best. Those mothers who think they must be at home, even if they forfeit their money, are given leave to be so. Those who feel they cannot forego their wage continue at work. We try to aid in both situations. Those mothers who are losing their wages are helped with food, and firing. For the homes where the mother continues at work, Dinah organizes meals, drinks, bedding for the ill child or children; all those things that the mothers would do. And she delivers them to the homes to be sure all is as well as possible."

  "A weighty responsibility for Miss Driffield, sir." He saw immediately that Dinah disdained his concern.

  "I have assistance," she said.

  "Your help is in Huddersfield, unless I am mistaken," he countered. "And surely your undertaking is rarely on this scale."

  "And you have Harriet at home," Mr. Driffield said.

  "Harriet? Is she ill? How may I be of service to her?" Sebastian's anxiety surprised even himself. "You have had a doctor to her?" He added with a sheepish grin, "I am very fond of Harriet and her everlasting newspapers. She is very much the little sister I should like to hav
e had."

  "She will be fine," Mr. Driffield said. He answered with the ease of a parent accustomed to ailments in his numerous brood. "Never worry, my lord."

  Sebastian was a little reassured, but turned to Dinah, allowing his worry for her to show in his expression. "You bear too many burdens."

  "I can manage, and Miss Hesler will aid me," she said.

  "Allow me to be of assistance," Sebastian begged. He brushed aside the selfish thought that this calamity could be the resolution of their estrangement. "I can fetch and carry and perhaps there is something I can do for Harriet."

  "I think not," Dinah began.

  At the same time as her father said, "How very kind. We should welcome your assistance."

  Sebastian saw the furious, helpless, glance Dinah shot at her father. But he was determined to be of assistance.

  "Time is wasting, Dinah," Mr. Driffield said with a bland expression. "Take the viscount and get busy. Our conversation about the canal may be had over dinner, my lord, if you will care to join us. Mrs. Driffield is from home, but we manage well enough."

  "Thank you, sir. I should be happy to dine with you. Miss Driffield, I am yours to command. Where do we begin?" He almost laughed at the expression he surprised upon her face. Unless he was much mistaken, she was vowing to work him very hard indeed.

  "We need first a register of the afflicted families from Papa's clerks. I have a roster already from the dame school mistress."

  "A list is even now being prepared, my dear," Mr. Driffield advised.

  "Thank you Papa." Dinah was brisk and businesslike. "We shall see you at supper. Come along my lord. First I must see how Harry goes on. Then we must organize the supplies."

  "Miss Driffield, my curricle awaits." Sebastian could barely conceal his delight at her need of him.

  Dinah, in her turn, could scarcely credit how helpful he was. That day was only the beginning of their work. They toiled right through to the week's end, and as the fever had no respect for the sanctity of the Sabbath, they worked then also.

  With Holly's assistance, Dinah transformed her schoolroom into a supply depot, and installed Juliana Hesler as its organizer. Mrs. Hesler would not hear of her daughter visiting the homes of the sick, but as Holly had pressed Matherton to assist with the supplies, the lady was glad to have them thrown together.

  Sebastian set up his valet and his tiger as a delivery team with a list of humble homes that needed support as the mothers' income was curtailed. They delivered food and firing from the school room every other day as long as the women were off work. Geoffrey helped them as he could when he was not occupied with his work and apprenticeship studies.

  Dinah ordered her own life to actively aid the workers' children at home alone. Sebastian laboured unfailingly at her side. Unwillingly, Dinah's admiration for him grew. He seemed truly to care about the workers, as he drove her from the school to the factory to the modest homes in Hunslet. He wore his plainest garb, tied a Belcher handkerchief about his collar and called himself Mr. Holly for, he said, he did not wish to draw attention to himself. He was kind, gentle and understanding with the sick children and the overwhelmed youngsters who tried to help their small siblings. It seemed there was no task too menial for him to perform and no need that went unnoticed by him. He fetched and carried, laid fires, prepared hot drinks, and even changed dirty linen uncomplainingly. And he organized their time so that they could stop and visit Harriet between their errands of mercy to the workers' children.

  It did not occur to Dinah that he was obliging merely to ingratiate himself with her; she could not doubt his sincerity. It seemed impossible to equate this kind and helpful gentleman with a breach of promise suit or any other aristocratic frailty.

  But she was more in his company, as the days passed, than she considered wise for her equanimity, even if his demeanour held nothing of the lover. He spent every spare hour at Park Square, but he did not attempt to be private with her, or initiate any conversation unrelated to their self-imposed tasks. She told herself she was grateful for his restraint.

  Within three days Hamilton contracted the fever. Geoffrey was eager to be of assistance to his young brother, but Dinah had no wish to see him succumb as well. She thought Hamilton's illness must surely end her assistance to the needy poor. Her own siblings had first claim upon her time, and John and Joseph were thoroughly occupied at the manufactory. But Sebastian brought Skelmer to Park Square to ensure that the boy's needs were met and would accept no thanks.

  His affection for her siblings could not be doubted. He brought books and entertainments, puzzles and newspapers for them, and spent any spare moments he had in talking with them. Even when Dinah cautioned him, he expressed no fear of infection. He merely counseled her in return to be wary for her own health.

  Nearly a week passed in this fashion. Between home and factory, Dinah thought that she had never seen so many streaming colds. She was tired and found herself quite contrarily longing for some sign of affection from Sebastian. When, just before supper one evening Joseph complained of the headache, she felt overwhelmed.

  "Go to your bed, do," she snapped at him. The latest sufferer snarled an inaudible response, thrust back his chair and prepared to stalk from the room. A gigantic sneeze caused him to stagger at the door and Sebastian, just entering at the hall, strode to assist him.

  Dinah was contrarily annoyed by Sebastian's immediate response to her brother's needs. "Must his lordship take every dinner here, Papa?" she asked her father pettishly as the two young men mounted the stairs.

  "Now my little lass, you must admit he has been a great help. Should we deny him a family meal to brighten his days?"

  "He does not like crowds of family; he has shown it often enough."

  Her father looked at Geoffrey and John, the only other occupants of the morning room. "There is only the four of us left, my dear, scarcely a crowd."

  "Come Dinah," her brother John rallied her. "You are only tired. Is not Miss Hesler a help too?"

  Dinah could scarcely tell her brother that Juliana was so taken up with Mr. Matherton that her head was in the clouds even when her body was present. "I..."

  "You need say no more. I know where her interest lies." John's pleasant face paled at the speculations he entertained.

  Dinah castigated herself that she had not concealed Juliana's preoccupation from him. "Nothing will come of it, I am certain," she said.

  Holly returned to the drawing room. "Well, Joseph is in his bed. Said he was damned if he'd let me see to him, so he cannot be too bad. He seems to think Skelmer, being a working man, is more acceptable as nurse."

  The Driffields, even Dinah, joined his laughter at this proof of Joseph's unrelenting radicalism.

  "We were talking of Matherton, my lord." John brought up the subject that most bothered him. "Has he intentions of returning down south soon?"

  "Scarcely seen him these past few days. I asked for his help, and he has given it, but I've no notion of his plans."

  John appeared unsatisfied by this, but was unable to pursue the matter as Bubwith announced the dinner's readiness.

  Sebastian offered the support of his arm to Dinah.

  She took it with unaccustomed alacrity for the staircase seemed unusually long. In the dining room, she sank into her chair with relief, and looked at the dishes presented on the table with disapprobation. She said, "Papa, I think I am not interested in dining. I shall retire early. I can do no more today but see how the children fare abovestairs on my way to my bed."

  Sebastian turned to her, his concern obvious. "I knew you were doing too much. You have made yourself ill. You must indeed retire."

  "I am not ill," she said. Quick annoyance coloured her words. "I am tired. Perhaps Pippy may bring me a tray. I shall be right as a trivet in the morning."

  "I will see you up," he said withdrawing her chair so that she could rise.

  "You will not," she declared. Her father seemed amused by the exchange rather than affronted by Se
bastian's impudence. "John will take me up."

  She later regretted snapping at Sebastian. She lay in bed, weary to her bones, mulling over the past few days. The worst of the contagion, it seemed, was over. Thanks in the main to Sebastian's assistance she had coped, and she would always remember every detail of his help. Her admiration of him had grown, she could not deny that her feelings toward him had softened, and she would have to admit that she could find no fault in his behaviour.

  The next day Sebastian found, to his relief, that her long rest had much restored Dinah. They worked in amity distributing aid to the remaining suffering families, and returned for dinner at Park Square. It was Harriet and Hamilton's first meal again with the family, though Joseph kept to his bed, and the party was jolly. Laughter again rippled through the rooms of Number Five and the firelight glowed on happy faces.

  Mr. Driffield excused his discourtesy as he opened a letter from his wife which had just been brought from the receiving office. He exclaimed aloud his pleasure. "Charlotte is safely delivered of a son. Both doing well, proud father over the moon. Now then, that is wonderful news." He beamed around the table at his offspring.

  "You are a grandfather, sir. How does this seem to you?" Sebastian said. His curiosity was genuine.

  "Very, very well," Mr. Driffield responded. "I take great pride in my children, and great pleasure in my family, my lord. This enlargement is welcome, and if this nipper reminds me of my age, he also ensures that I live on, in him. Life is well-planned, Holly, well-planned indeed."

  "But surely, sir, it is a vast responsibility to provide for a family and see to all their wants."

  "What would I work for, if not for them, my lord? Should I accumulate the money for its own sake? Work for the joy of it? Nay, all I do is for love of my family, and that is as it should be. You must understand this feeling, Holly. The aristocracy is ever set on its heirs and their inheritance."

  "They sometimes forget the people--the children--in their fever about the lineage," Sebastian said. He heard the sadness in his own voice, and consciously rallied his spirits. "Well, you are all new made as aunts and uncles. Hamilton, how shall you like to be an uncle?"