Aline did not speak at first; then she said, “Well, you see it makes a change.”
“Is it Mistress Mowbray that is the real cause? Come, little one, tell me truthfully, doesn’t she treat you well?”
“There is always a great deal to do, cleaning and mending and, when there is nothing else, there is always spinning and carding.”
“Well, I suppose that we must all of us do our share of work.”
Aline could not keep back the tears, which welled into her eyes and made them glisten. “Yes, it is not really the work, I should not mind the work. Indeed I am used to very hard work indeed; because, before the end, I used to have to do almost everything at home.”
“What does she do to you, child? Has she been losing her temper again? Come, tell me.”
“I do not like to say, but she does all kinds of things.”
“Well, never mind if you do not want to tell me.”
“No, I do not mind telling you; it is that I am not sure how far I should say anything to any one at all. But you will never see her and it does relieve one’s feelings to be able to speak to any one.”