The changeling

She nodded. Then she said: “My mother did not like my being away from home ... even with you.”

“Well, that is what I came to discuss. I promised Monsieur and Madame Bourdon that I would ask you. They would pay you very well. I imagine you could name your price.” I studied her. She was very pretty; and now that she was excited, this was more obvious.

“Would you like a cup of tea?” she asked.

“That would be very acceptable,” replied my grandmother.

She left us. We looked round the little room and I knew what my grandmother was thinking. It had an unlived-in look. I could not imagine that this was a very happy home. There would be too much striving after what was right and proper in the eyes of that martinet Mrs. Polhenny-and little thought of pleasure.

While we were drinking tea and nibbling homemade biscuits at lady herself came in.

She came straight into the parlor. She was surprised. Her eyes rested momentarily on me and I wondered if I was doing something I should not and perhaps spoiling the perfection of er brown velvet-covered armchair. Mrs. Hanson ...” she began. you must forgive the intrusion, Mrs. Polhenny,” said my grandmother. “Leah has given us tea and your oatmeal biscuits are delicious.”

“Oh,” said Mrs. Polhenny, smiling, “I’m glad she made tea for you.”

“How was it at the farm?”

“Another boy.” Her face softened. “A lovely healthy boy. They’re pleased. Rather a long labor but everything going well. I shall be keeping my eyes on them. I’ll be getting back later today.”

“I’m glad all went well. We came to talk of a rather interesting proposition. We have mentioned it to Leah.”

“Oh, what was that?”

“You know we have those French refugees up at High Tor?”

“Yes, I do.”

“And Leah made such a good job of our tapestries. When they came to luncheon with us they saw what she had done. The fact is they would like her to do the same for them. Apparently they have some valuable pieces up there and they want someone to repair them. They would like Leah to do it.”

Mrs. Polhenny was frowning. “Leah has plenty of work here.”

“This would be different and more highly paid, I imagine.”

That did bring a glimmer of interest into Mrs. Polhenny’s eyes.

“It would mean her staying up there for a week or two ... perhaps even more.”

Mrs. Polhenny’s face hardened. “Why couldn’t she go every day?”

“Well, it is a little far ... that journey twice a day ... and then there is the matter of catching the best of the light. It’s intricate work.”

“Leah wouldn’t want to be away from home.”

“Don’t you think she would enjoy a change? She’d be very comfortable up at High Tor and they would be very grateful to get the work done. Madame Bourdon was quite lyrical about her tapestry. You can see she loves it.”

“Leah has plenty of work here.”

“Do think about it, Mrs. Polhenny.”

“I think a young girl’s place is home with her mother.”

“But she wouldn’t be far away.”

“Couldn’t they send the tapestries here?”

“Impossible. They are big, I expect... and very valuable.”

“They could get somebody else.”

“They like Leah’s work. She is especially talented. This Id be good for her. People might visit them and see her W k .as they visited us. You don’t know what would come c it You know we have the Emperor Napoleon and Empress Eugenie in England now. They are friends of Monsieur and Madame Bourdon. Who knows, Leah might be working for royalty.” Mrs. Polhenny looked skeptical. “They’re a sinful lot, from what I hear.”

“Oh, Mrs. Polhenny, you can’t believe all you hear. I think this would be an excellent chance for her.”

“I don’t like my daughter to be away from home at night. I like to know she’s here ... and I’m in the next room to her.”

“Don’t refuse right away. Think about it. Leah loved doing our tapestry. How much more interesting such work is than plain embroidery.”

“With foreigners!”

“They are the same as we are,” I said.

Mrs. Polhenny gave me a stern look. In her opinion, I was sure, young girls should be seen and not heard.

“Let’s leave it like this,” said my grandmother. “But think what it would be worth ... financially.”

“I’d want her home every night.”

“I don’t think that would be feasible. She has to catch the best of the light and you know how predictable the weather is. A light morning can turn to a dull one and her journey would be wasted. And it is a little far. Just think about it. In the meantime, I’ll have a word with Madame Bourdon.”

So we left it at that.

As we walked away my grandmother said: “Sometimes I think Mrs. Polhenny is a little unbalanced. It’s a pity. She’s such an excellent midwife.” And a good housewife too, it seems. There’s nothing out of Place in that cottage. It’s uncomfortably clean.”

My grandmother laughed. “It’s what is called a fetish and I on t think that is a very healthy thing to have. Then, of course, here’s Leah. She can’t have a very happy life. Poor girl, it must e difficult to live up to that perfection. And the way she guards her it’s really unnatural.”