EMMA
I looked around the room- at the thick soft carpet, polished floors, rosewood furniture, beddings and drapings in lilac and white- and could still hardly believe that it was mine now.
I no longer had to sleep on a ragged mat in a shed that smelled of mold and manure.
"Where do you want these, mistress?"
Mistress... the word still seemed very strange and there were times when I forgot I was the one being referred to.
Turning around, I faced Lita, my new maid with a smile. She gave me one in return and held the pile of neatly folded laundry closer to her chest.
"You are still here, Lita? I said. "Just put those over there." I pointed to the big four poster bed. "And then you go can go and rest. I'll sort out the clothes I'll put in the trunk and wardrobe myself."
She shook her head and said, "I can't leave you yet, mistress. Other maids are still working and you might still need me later."
