CHAPTER SEVENTEEN E: THE WINTER ORDER
The first large order for the workroom arrived with the autumn rain.
The village school needed twenty warm coats before the weather turned, and the committee could afford only a modest price.
Mrs. Elkin gathered the women around the cutting table.
“We can accept the order,” she said, “but only if we divide the work sensibly.”
Alice volunteered to cut the lining.
Two older seamstresses agreed to finish the cuffs.
Selena offered to repair the old coats that could still be worn, allowing the new cloth to be used where it was needed most.
Mrs. Elkin considered the proposal.
“That would mean working with garments that have already survived three winters.”
“Then we should begin by finding out which seams failed first,” Selena answered.
The women spent the morning examining the coats one by one.
A schoolboy named Thomas arrived with his mother to try on the first finished garment.
He stood very straight while Alice fastened the buttons.
“Can I run in it?” he asked.
“You had better,” Alice replied.
“It will be a poor coat if you cannot.”
Thomas ran the length of the room and nearly collided with the cutting table.
His mother apologized in alarm.
Mrs. Elkin caught the table before the scissors fell.
“The coat passed,” she said dryly.
Selena laughed with the others.
That afternoon William visited to ask about Clara’s lessons and found the room crowded with unfinished coats.
He offered to pay for additional cloth.
Mrs. Elkin looked at Selena before answering.
Selena understood the question in her eyes.
“The school committee should decide whether to accept a donation,” Selena told him.
“The women have already agreed on their price.”
William nodded.
“Then I shall speak to the committee.”
“And you shall not ask for your name to be embroidered inside every collar,
” Mrs. Elkin added.
William looked startled.
Then he smiled.
“I would not dream of it.”
After he left, Alice leaned toward Selena.
“I believe the duke is learning to take instructions.”
Selena threaded another needle.
“He is making progress,” she said.
“We should not spoil him with praise.”
