Elsie

Chapter 3: Elmsdale

A/N: The Breakers Mansion (pictured above) serves as an example of what Elmsdale might look like.

"Good day, Miss Thomson," Mrs. Jacobs greeted as she entered the parlor.

Elsie quickly set her empty tea cup on the tray and stood. "Good day, Mrs. Jacobs," she returned.

"Call me Nora," the housekeeper ordered good-naturedly.

"Elsie," the girl replied.

"Very well, Elsie," Nora nodded. "Come. I'll give you a tour of Elmsdale."

The tour of the mansion took over an hour. Nora showed Elsie every room and explained what needed to be done in each of them, mainly dusting and polishing the brass.

"It's sad, really," Nora said woefully. "Such a beautiful place sitting empty. These rooms ought to have occupants."

Elsie couldn't help but agree. It seemed that wealthy people were sinfully extravagant. All of the extra space was just wasted.

"The last room on this floor is the master bedroom," Nora explained. Elsie felt her face grow warm. It seemed a little intrusive to be in Mr. Jones' bedroom, but she supposed it had to be cleaned just like any other room. Her eyes widened when she entered.

Nora waved her hand around the chamber. "Beautiful, isn't it?"

Elsie had to admit that it was. She thought the Patterson room was beautiful, but the master bedroom was glorious. Nora showed her the connected washroom as well.

"I will leave the rooms on the upper floors to you," Nora was saying. "It is tiring for me to climb the stairs anymore. You will be sure to make Mr. Jones' bed each morning, and then turn it down every evening. I will take care of the main floor and manage the staff. Mr. Jones is very particular about his room. Be meticulous about your work here."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Nora," the housekeeper corrected her for an eighth time. "I'll show you the main floor, and then we will discuss your wardrobe."

Elsie glanced down at her dress. It was the only possession she had at Elmsdale, and she had slept in it the night before.

On the main floor, there was a library, music room, sitting room, parlor, dining hall, study, kitchen, and the servants' quarters beyond the kitchen.

"That room there is the ballroom," Nora gestured towards a pair of massive double doors as they walked. "There's no need to go in. I will keep it clean, and it's just a big empty room."

When they entered the kitchen, Nora introduced Elsie to the staff.

"This is Lois, and that's Verda," she gestured to the two women cooking. They both appeared to be in their fifties or so.

"Good day," Elsie greeted. Lois and Verda both smiled.

"Lois and Verda are sisters," Nora explained. "They are the cooks and the only staff here that do not live at Elmsdale. They arrive early every morning to prepare breakfast and leave after dinner. Oh, Hannah, there you are!" Nora exclaimed suddenly.

Elsie turned and saw someone else enter the kitchen. She was a young mulatto woman with gorgeous, curly hair.

"Elsie, this is Hannah," Nora introduced. "She is the laundress at Elmsdale and resides in the servants' quarters. I suspect the two of you are nearly the same age."

"Hello," Elsie greeted politely. Hannah smiled shyly and nodded in return.

"Alright, I think that's enough for today. Let's go to your room. Tomorrow, I will show you the gardens and you can meet our groundskeeper, Adam Schultz."