On Sparrow Hill Read Online Free PDF Page A

exchanged a glance with Mrs. Cotgrave, who appeared every bit as surprised by the announcement as Berrie herself. The governing and medical boards were comprised of men, so it couldn’t be one of them. And though they did plan to have female teachers, attendants, and one nurse, those slots had been filled; they weren’t searching for any more.
    “Perhaps she’s here to name a candidate for residency,” Mrs. Cotgrave suggested.
    Berrie nodded, although Mrs. Cotgrave had said this sort of thing was to be handled through the mounds of paperwork they were sending out, not in person.
    “Show her in, Daisy,” Berrie instructed.
    A moment later a woman entered the room, dressed meticulously in white lace and green broadcloth with a small felt hat sitting smartly atop perfectly coiffed hair, a yellow scarf tied at the back. Her features were more plain than pretty, though no single aspect could be called offensive. Rather, her eyes and mouth were on the small side, her forehead on the large. Only the scarf altered her perfect attire, for although every other detail of the lady appeared well attended, the scarf was off-center and askew.
    She said nothing upon her entrance. Instead, she stepped close to the desk behind which both Berrie and Mrs. Cotgrave sat. Without making eye contact with either of them, she held out an envelope somewhere in between.
    “This is my introduction,” the woman said. “It will tell you all about me, it will. Once you’ve read it, you’ll see I may be of great help to you and your students alike.”
    “I’m afraid we’ve hired all the help we need, Miss . . . ,” Berrie said.
    “Read the letter, if you please.”
    The young woman spoke with the familiar cadence so common in Ireland, though not like a servant. No, her enunciation certainly matched the finery she wore. Berrie opened the envelope, unfolding the single sheet she found inside. She held it at an angle so Mrs. Cotgrave might see it as well.
    I am Katie MacFarland, twenty years, two months, three days of age. I am strong and hardworking, and will never tell a lie. I have come to help you with your school, since I am strong and hardworking and will never tell a lie. You will have children in your school for me to take care of and teach. I can teach them for most of the day and also after dark since I require little sleep. I also do not eat much, so I will create little expense. I have brought my own clothes. I will be of great value because I am strong and hardworking and will never tell a lie.
    The letter, though neat and without error, appeared to have been written by a child.
    Berrie placed the letter on the desk in front of her, standing and going to the library window. From there she saw the lane leading up to the manor house, but it was empty all the way to the road down below.
    Surely the young lady hadn’t come alone. Any girl her age and from the kind of house that matched her clothing and ability to write would have a carriage and chaperone. More than that, even if this girl had broken all rules of etiquette and set out alone, how could she have found her way to them unattended? From her stiff demeanor and lack of eye contact, and from the words on the page, Berrie guessed the girl would be better off a student than a member of the staff.
    “How did you arrive, Miss MacFarland?” Berrie asked.
    The young woman stared straight ahead like a soldier at attention rather than one of three women chatting in a room. “My name is Katie, and I walked.”
    “From your home?”
    “No, from my carriage.”
    “And where is your carriage now?” Berrie looked out the window again, unable to see directly in front of the portico. Perhaps the vehicle was out of her line of vision. “Still waiting outside?”
    “I was let out at the bottom of the lane, and I walked up the hill. I like to walk; it’s good for breathing.” She took a deep, clear breath as if to demonstrate.
    Berrie returned to her seat and spoke quietly to Mrs.