[Primrose Bolger]

Ginger and Wren encounter the Widow Rosebank

‘One of the lasses had to go home to be with her sick Da,’ Buttercup said, motioning for Ginger and Wren to draw closer to the linen cupboard. ‘The guests will be needing fresh towels and washcloths for the day. So, take these two stacks upstairs,’ instructed Buttercup, ‘and put fresh ones by the wash stand. Make sure you knock first so’s you don’t disturb anybody. Just leave the used towels and such in the hall, the laundry girl will go through after you and pick them up in her basket.’ She loaded up Ginger’s arms with a tall stack of fluffy towels topped with an equal number of wash cloths. ‘Take Wren, too. She can take this basket of fresh cut flowers up and put them in the vases.’

Ginger couldn’t see over the stack of towels as she and Wren made their way down the first hall, where many of the Big Folk were staying in the larger sized rooms. Wren followed along behind, her view blacked by ginger and her load.

‘Oh, my goodness!’ yelped Ginger as she bounced off something in front of her. The towels spilled from her arms and landed at the woman’s feet. ‘My gosh! Are you alright? Did I hurt you?’ Ginger flushed a deep pink, setting off the sprinkle of sandy freckles that played across her nose. She hurriedly picked up the fallen towels trying to put them in some semblance of order.

In an effort to regain her composure, she curtsied to the woman and nodded toward the room the woman had apparently just left. ‘We’re bringing round fresh towels and face cloths . . . and flowers, too. Could we leave some for you, ma’am?’