Nurse doesn’t know what the letters mean either! I make sure she catches me cleaning the frame.
‘That sampler? That be one his lordship’s cousin worked. You can see her blood on it – never very handy with her needle, Miss Honoria! But those letters in a funny order – no, I never could make sense of them either, so don’t worry your head about them.’ She actually smiled at me. ‘You’re a good girl and working well. Some would say you’re wasted tucked away up here and you’d do better for yourself working where folk that matter can see you.’
‘Please, Nurse, I like it here!’ I cover my mouth with my hands. That’s answering back! ‘Sorry, Nurse.’
She laughs. Nurse laughs! ‘Bless my soul, Hatty, you’re a funny one. Tell you what, I’ll ask Mamselle what those letters mean.’ She nods a smile, but raises a finger. ‘Just make sure you don’t get above yourself, miss.’