The more perfectly the apprentice fulfils his duty, the greater will be his reward.
S. & S. Adams, The Complete Servant
Pattern’s report to the Silver Service was a long and detailed one. She tried to be honest about her mistakes, and explain her thinking as plainly as possible. Her account was more for the benefit of Mr Crichton and Mrs Jervis than Sir Whitby for, although the gentleman rejoiced at the return of his ward, he suffered considerable mortification over the nature of Henry’s predicament. To have fallen for the seductions of a mechanical doll was a stain on the noble House of Whitby. The sooner the unfortunate affair was forgotten, the better.
At least the young man showed every sign of leading a respectable life. His days of drinking and gambling were over; he devoted himself to archaeological study and the promotion of a vegetarian diet. It was rumoured the sight of a string of sausages or side of ham was enough to bring him to tears. By all accounts, Circe’s other gentlemen guests were similarly reformed characters.
‘. . . So in conclusion,’ Pattern wrote to her dear friend Eleri, Grand Duchess of Elffinberg, ‘it seems to me that Circe’s crimes arose from boredom and changeability more than natural wickedness. Wherever she is now, and whatever fresh schemes she has embarked on, there is still a small chance her better nature will prevail. But I doubt she will ever truly mend her ways.
How I am looking forward to coming home to Elffinberg! And, oh, how good that is to write! Your suggestion of a holiday by the lakes is an excellent one. I will be very happy to consider the problems of the education budget and the cheesemongers’ dispute while we are there. For, as you know, days of nothing but idleness give me the fidgets.
I have just one more task to do, before I begin my packing . . .’
For Pattern had another note to write. She would send it to Nate’s lodgings in Borough, proposing that they meet in Bedford Square.
She signed it ‘Penny’, but along with the note she enclosed a card. It bore the design of a feather duster crossed with a toasting fork. On the back of the card she wrote, The first step on a new path?
