The Journey Home

Chapter 44 - A First Frost

Margaret exited the hotel into a sharp, cold morning of glistening frost. The air had a hard stillness to it, punctuated by the warm puffs of her breath. A light frost covered the landscape, with spots of wet where the frost had been trodden down by pedestrians and beasts. Margaret smiled to herself. To think that she would chose such a place to live after having been spoiled by the warmth of the Spanish sun. She pulled her wool scarf close to her face so that her own breath would warm her checks.

It was just another ordinary day; she was one if the many Milton inhabitants with a job to get to that morning. Her boots were sturdy and she took long strides along the wet streets, avoiding puddles and patches if ice, holding her skirts away from the curbs so as not to be splashed by the passing carriages and hacks. As she drew closer to Marlborough Mills, carts and wagons took over the streets, moving bolts of fabric, raw wool, cotton and wares to and from the mills and warehouses. Her exercise had warmed her and she drew her scarf down from her face, much to the pleasure of passers by who were engaged by her smile and called out to her. She knew more of the streets' inhabitants here, and was greeted warmly by the passing men, women and children who had come to know her as the new school teacher.

At the top of Marlborough Street, Margaret turned into the cobble stone yard of the Mill. She greeted Mr. Williams at the gate, who was reviewing the contents of a wagon full of deliveries for the Mill. "Master said to tell you he was looking for you. He's in the weaving house, Miss." he told her as she passed. Her pace did not slow as she waved in acknowledgement. "Thank you, Williams. I'm straight to the school room. Urgent business, you know." she said with a wide grin, in a teasing reference to the Master's determined way of moving from task to task. Williams chuckled heartily as he continued with his own business of checking and rechecking the delivery.

When Margaret arrived at the school room, she found that a fire had already been lit in the round bellied stove in the center of the room. The dirt and soot from the prior days wet shoes and boots had dried and needed sweeping from the worn pine floors. Gaps between the boards allowed cold air to creep into the room. The building had previously been a warehouse for storing bales of raw cotton. The ceilings were high, which contributed to the difficulty in keeping it warm, and the lack of windows necessitated the need for lamps even on the brightest of days. 

As was his habit, Tommy Boucher had arrived well in advance of Margaret to be sure that the fire was lit and the lamps were in working order. He was in the process of arranging benches around the stove to keep the first pupils of the day warm. Some of the mismatched chairs had been placed aside for the small group of women who had recently come forward to learn to read and write. Margaret removed her hat and coat and hung them on one of the pegs by the door. "Good morning, Miss." Tommy said as he removed his own cap . He was still wearing his coat, woolen mittens and a scarf wound about his neck to fight the chill of the room. "Good morning, Tommy." Margaret responded. "The chill has certainly taken hold, this morning." She reached for the broom and began to sweep the floors clean of dust and grit.

"It's the first frost, Miss. Coldest day so far. The chinks in the floors make it difficult to keep ahead of the chill." Tommy slapped his mittened hands together, making a dull thumping noise. "Oh, and Master..."

"Tommy, Mr. Thornton now." Margaret corrected him.  "Yes, of course. Mr. Thornton was by earlier. He said he wanted to speak with you."

"Well, it will have to wait. We've lessons to to prepare for the day. Now, first off, could you go to the kitchens and have hot tea for the children in an hours time? Given how cold it is, the students will need something to warm their stomachs this morning. Lots of milk as well."

"Yes, Miss. I'll be back in just a few moments. I shall bring a pot back for us as well." Tommy snatched his cap from the peg and ran out to the canteen.   After finishing sweeping, Margaret tidied her hair and smoothed her skirts, when a loud knock came at the door. she was greeted by several of the mill hands, carrying multiple over sized carpets on their shoulders. "Master says to cover up them holes in the floor, Miss." Nathaniel Greene, the largest and loudest, announced as the men moved tables chairs and benches to make way for the patchwork of thick wool carpets and rugs. The room immediately began to thaw as the rugs provided warmth from below.