Downton Abbey - The Story of Emma Barrow

Lady Sybil's Baby (June 1920)

Spoiler Warning. We are now in Season 3 Episode 5.

"I think I'd rather be in a city if I were to have a child," the new kitchen maid, Ivy, said as she collected the dishes, "where they have all the modern inventions."

Thomas listened to the newcomer with more or less interest. She had no idea what she was talking about.

"Far away from everyone you know and trust? I wouldn't want that," Anna said, folding her napkin after using it.

"Why not? You'd make new friends."

"But I wouldn't want to entrust my child to just anyone," Anna looked over to Thomas now, prompting him, "What do you think?"

"Have I entrusted my child to just anyone?" Barrow raised an eyebrow suspiciously. Here was the confirmation Anna wanted to hear. Emma's inner circle consisted only of Patmore, Hughes, and Anna. William was once part of it. Thomas learned from his mistakes and chose the babysitters wisely from that day forward. He didn't trust the hallboys and housemaids easily, so only a close core of the staff remained in question.

"Why are you talking about having children, Ivy? I think we should postpone that for a while. Thank you," Mrs. Patmore chimed in, handing Emma her packed lunch für school.

"It's not wrong to be prepared for everything," Jimmy shrugged. The teacup rested in his hand.

"I suppose you're always prepared?" Thomas teased.

"I try to be, Mr. Barrow."

"I don't like the direction this conversation is taking," Carson looked sternly at Jimmy, "Could we all please focus on the tasks of the day?" Suddenly, the servants got up. Thomas once again pulled Emma up by the sleeve, "And don't forget, Lady Sybil is in a delicate condition, so no commotion on the gallery."

After school, Emma sought out the housekeeper. The teacher had assigned them their very first homework in needlework, and Emma quickly realized that she had no idea how to neatly embroider her name onto a piece of fabric.

Mrs. Hughes smiled gently as she showed Emma how to skillfully guide the needle through the fabric. "Take it easy, Emma. You're doing just fine. Needlework requires patience, but you'll see, it can be a lot of fun once you get the hang of it."

Emma nodded seriously and tried to thread the thread through the fabric. "I doubt it can be fun," she sighed and dropped the needle. The fabric was already nearly riddled with her countless attempts. Emma simply had no patience. She would much rather be reading books.

"You just need a bit more practice," Mrs. Hughes encouraged.

Just as Emma was threading a new knot in the thread, the door to the sitting room opened, and Mr. Carson entered. "Mrs. Hughes," his voice sounded before the butler took a short pause, "I see you're busy," he cleared his throat, "It's nice to see you taking an interest in needlework, Emma Grace."

"Mrs. Hughes is showing me how it's done. I just haven't found the patience yet," Emma explained. Mr. Carson stepped closer and observed as Emma and Mrs. Hughes worked diligently on their sewing project. "It's already looking quite good, Emma Grace," he praised, "It's a beautiful picture."

"This is supposed to be my name," Emma sighed. But the embroidery did look a bit wild.

"Emma was given an assignment by the teacher to present a cloth embroidery with her name on it by tomorrow," Mrs. Hughes explained.

"Then you should definitely help Emma Grace, Mrs. Hughes."

"But I'm already doing that, Mr. Carson."

"Then try harder," he insisted, and Mrs. Hughes rolled her eyes.