The Latest Arrivals (Part Two)

JP with Redsword, mdman and Cindy

Elizabeth knelt down and opened her arms, the child ran into them, the two embraced in a hug.

"Marie, qui est à la porte?" (Marie, who's at the door?) Another young female voice called out through the small house.

Judging by the sound of footsteps, the girl would arrive momentarily.

"Marie!" a much closer voice now. "Marie. manners!"

Marie stepped back from Elizabeth, and to her side came her older sister Eloise. "Tu te souviens de ce qu'on t'a appris, Marie ? A propos de saluer Lady Elizabeth." (Remember what we taught you, Marie. About greeting Lady Elizabeth.)

"Oui," the little girl,nodded with a sigh and then both girls bowed.

Elizabeth had stood up and smiled at both of them. "Merci à vous deux. Très bien fait." (Thank you, both. Well done.) She then hugged the older girl and stepped back. "Eloise, Marie you remember Mr. Shi." Elizabeth motioned to Sung.

They had met before but Elizabeth had been here more than Sung. Sometimes coming with Harold, she had come with her mother or father a few times.

"Greetings, Mr. Shi." Eloise stated. Marie began to bow to Sung, and Eloise gently elbowed her. Have under her breath saying. "Non. Pas d'arc." (No. No bow.) To which Marie looked confused.

"Je sais que c'est déroutant. Vous comprendrez avec le temps." (I know its confusing. You will understand, in time.) Elizabeth gently said.

"Now, where is your mother. I need to speak with her." Elizabeth stated, in English for Sung's benefit and she knew the girls loved to practice their English.

"She is ... sleeping." Eloise explained. "I will see if she has woken up."

Eloise went towards the living room. Elizabeth stayed in front of the house which was the living room, off to one side was a small kitchen with a wood burning stove. To the other area was two bedrooms. The mother had one room, the girls shared a room. Clement basically used the living room as his bedroom. There was a few old pieces of furniture. A few chairs, a tattered loveseat. A few crates which held clothes and the scarce belongs of Clements. Elizabeth had seen the bedrooms before. Hay beds, more crates. The mother's room had a dresser. According to Clement they used to have more furniture, better furniture but sold most of it because they needed the money.

Marie then asked, as if suddenly recalling she was supposed to. "Would you like to sit down?" That was addressed to both Elizabeth and Sung.

"Yes, thank you." Elizabeth responded and took a seat on one of the chairs.

Sung also took a chair looking around things were run down or worn out pretty bad but clean for the state everything was in some dust but that was expected. "Thank you young lady" Sung replied to Marie. Sung looked at Elizabeth without saying a word just facial exceptions telling her his thoughts he was happy if this worked out.

Sung pulled a paper bag out of his pocket he had at first did not know why Harold would put a bag of candy there. Harold was always thinking ahead. he saw there was a candy stick for each child. "Marie, you and your sisters may have one if allowed," said Sung offering the candy to the girls. Sung knew that Harold would have not put it there if they could not have it.

The sound of more murmured voices, then the sound of creeky wheels making their way through the house. Eloise pushed a wicker wheelchair with wooden wheels into the room.

Seated upon it was, a woman around 28 years old. through the years of illness had greatly worn at her body, making her look older. Her once thick blonde wavy hair, had thinned to the point of being able to see skin through it. Her once youthful body was now weak and thin.

Her illness was chronic, doctors had no idea what to do for her but ease the pain, somewhat. Magical healers could ease some of the symptoms but because the disease was ongoing, they couldn't cure it. It was temporary reprieves from the inevitable. By the time Elizabeth had been able to do any healing on the woman, two years ago, the illness had caused too much damage to be of much use.

Aceline Borde looked at guests, "Greetings Lady Elizabeth and Mr. Shi. Forgive my appearance, I wasn’t expecting company." Elizabeth figured she said that last part for her daughters' sake.

"Greetings, Miss Aceline." Elizabeth responded. "No worries."

"Is everything alright? Clement?" As any concerned mother would Aceline asked about her son, considering his employer was here without him. But Elizabeth had been here before in the same manner, so it was more of checking and not extreme concern.

"Yes, he is fine but something did happen I need to speak with you about." Elizabeth responded. "But first, Mr. Shi has brought Eloise and Marie some candy. One piece each. Can they?"

"Of course," Aceline responded.

Each girl took a piece of candy. "Thank you, Mr. Shi." They said in unison.

"Now, Eloise can you take your sister to play." Aceline said. Not dismissive of the girls but she didn't want them their if it was something bad.

"Yes, mother. Come along, Marie." The two girls wandered off.

Sung held the bag out and some of the sticks of candy were sticking out for her to see. "Ma'am is it ok?" asked Sung Polity. Sung as besides himself he felt for this family. they were good people and well-mannered need a little more instruction and polish to work in an Ellington household but everyone starts somewhere.

The mother gave a nod of approval. Each child there can and took one stick of candy. with a big smile, each one gave a thank you. Sung waited for the last one and he said to them "My pleasure little ladies." then turned to Lady Elizabeth so she could explain everything.

Once the girls were out of the room, Elizabeth went through explaining everything to Aceline, ending up with what happened to Clement today. When Clement first took the job, his mother was given the oath of secrecy as was required.

Once finished, and after sometime to let Clement's mother absorb the information, Elizabeth spoke again. "I need you and your daughters to come live at my estate, in the servants quarters. I know I have asked before but this time it is a safety issue."

Aceline remained silent for several moments, then said, with a sad tone. "I understand. What do we need to bring?"

Elizabeth realized now, there was more than pride going on here. "Miss Aceline, what is it?"

"I am surprised Clement did not tell you." Aceline's eyes started to well up. "My husband built this house. My memories with him are in this house."

Elizabeth didn’t know what to say to that. She had never experience loss, certainly not like that. This part of experience, was something she was still learning to navigate.

Sung cleared his throat to get people to get the attention of the room. "Ma'am we are not asking you to sell your home," said Sung. "Just stay with us for the time being, is all we are asking. if you do say with us maybe we can help out fix the house up and you can rent it out. There are many options. " Suggested Sung.

"I understand, thank you." Aceline responded. "Will one of you please get the girls, for me?"

Elizabeth volunteered and soon enough the girls were back inside and their mother was explaining the situation without too much detail. The girls understood.

Aceline then said, "Girls find something to pack our things in."

"Hold on, just a moment." Elizabeth went outside and signaled to the cab driver. Who went into the back of the car and pulled out two travel bags. He then brought them into the house, leaving them in the living room, before going back to the cab. Elizabeth had asked Harold to put them in the cab. "Whatever you cannot pack today we can come back for." Elizabeth explained.

The girls went about packing for themselves, their mother and brother. It would take several minutes and a few more to make sure they didn't forget anything of importance for the night.

Sung helped where he could mostly carrying bags here and there. He was mostly waiting for the mother to be ready. Sung would help her into the carriage when that time came. He did wonder if everyone would fit in the carriage. He would stay back if needed. This house was falling into disrepair. The paint peeling the floors varnish worn. he would see to it this house was touched up before the family returned.

Eventually, everyone was ready. The bags were packed and they all made their way to the cab. Marie clung to a small rag doll, that was patched together and obviously well loved.

Eloise carried no toys but made sure to bring an old music box.

The cab driver opened the door to the cab and waited for instructions.

Elizabeth stood off to the side, as Sung and driver helped Aceline into the cab. Then went Elizabeth, the two girls, Sung went last. Then the cab driver fit the wheelchair into the back. They were ready to go.

It was a little cramped. But Sung had been worse in his life. The girls were looking out the windows talking to one another about the ride. Sometimes trying to move from one window to another. The other kids saw them looking out the window some waved others were surprised at watching them leave.

Sung kept quiet and looked around as he normally did. Watching the kids and looking outside. He was surprisingly calm and seem not to be bothered by the kid's excitement. The ride was slower the driver was being careful with them. Sung also knew if anything were going to happen it would be now with the carriage fully loaded and full of people.

Sung still just sat back and chuckled now and then when the kids said or did something he found funny. He would look at Miss Borde to see how she was doing and Elizabeth to see if something was needed.

Elizabeth was enjoying watching the two young girls in their excitement. As the cab made its way from the working class, to the middle class, to the upper class, you could see the girls eyes widen with awe at the size of the homes. They finally arrived at the Ellington estate.

Elizabeth and the girls were helped out of the cab by the driver.

"Please stay here a moment, I am going to get some help." Elizabeth went into the house and asked Harold to get some servants to carry the bags. Then sent another servant to find Cronk.

Sung waited as well just inside the door almost in the sitting room. Watching the girls get mesmerized by the estate they were looking at everything fidgeting with their hands. Sung called it itchy fingers they want to touch things but know they can't. The girls now crowding around Sung looking up at him wondering about what is next.

Sung looked at Elizabeth and smiled. "The kids should make this place lively." commented Sung " Let's hope they don't run off the team or were then out." Joked Sung.

Cronk had just took a swig of bourbon when a knock came to his door. A servant explained Lady Elizabeth had requested him. Cronk simply nodded.

Going to the sink, Cronk freshened himself up and toweled off. One must look presentable to the Boss when not working. He put on a clean shirt, then hurried off to meet Lady Elizabeth.

The servant led Cronk near the entryway to the house. There, Cronk spied two small children with the Lady. He suddenly became conscious of his size, so he squatted down to greet them.

While Aceline had been helped into the sitting room, and was now seated on one of the chaises, with her wheelchair near by, the girls were more in the front hall. So, the girls were who Cronk first saw.

"Mr. Cronk, these are Clement's sisters. Eloise and Marie." Motioning to each as she introduced them.

"Greetings Mr. Cronk." Eloise said, in a thick French accent.

Marie however stood there with her mouth agape. "Greetings," said slowly, obviously in awe of the size of the one before her. "Are you a .. large....no....giant?"

"No, he is an Orc. Remember Clement told us about him." Eloise said, carefully as if she was trying to remember all the words, in English.

Marie, in all of her six years on earth, had never seen an Orc before and clearly Cronk fascinated her. So, much that, without thinking, she moved very close to him, her small face, staring directly at his much larger one and then, her hand went out and touched his right bicep. A smile came across her face. "They are real." Clearly referring to the Orc's muscles.

Cronk grinned. The girls delighted him. They would certainly bring much more energy to the household, not that Clement didn’t.

“Cronk real!” the Orc laughed, not taking offense. He held out a huge index finger to the girls, realizing his whole hand would be too big. He meant to shake their hands. “Cronk pleased to meet girls.”

He looked up at Lady Elizabeth. “How Cronk help?”

The two girls each took turns, shaking his finger with smiles on their faces. The interaction made Elizabeth smile.

"Mr. Cronk, please come with me." Elizabeth took Cronk into the sitting room. "This is Mrs. Borde. We need your help, getting her to the servants quarters. They will be staying in cottage one."

"Please, it's Aceline. It is a pleasure to meet you Mr. Cronk." Aceline said.

"If you will carry Aceline, I will get the girls there." Elizabeth continued to explain to Cronk.

Cronk followed Lady Elizabeth and witnessed the frail lady upon the chaise. His heart went out to her, realizing he would have difficulty in life if he were too weak to walk.

Cronk was careful to lift her with tender care. He supported her back with one arm, her legs with the other, cradling the small woman against his chest.

Shortly after his arrival upon the estate, Cronk had explored the grounds. He was familiar where the servant quarters were. So, Cronk carried the Frail One to the first of the cottages.

“Boy good!” he assured the mother that she had done right by the lad.

"Thank you, Mr. Cronk." Aceline smiled at the compliment.

Elizabeth led the girls to the cottage. The servant quarters were around back. Many were just a decent sized room. The men had the second floor, the women the first. The rooms had shared bathrooms. There were two rooms with private baths for married couples. None of those rooms had kitchens, because the staff always had access to the kitchens in the home, as long as they cleaned up after themselves and didn't get in Greta's way.

Then there were the two servant cottages. Each was a small home with a kitchen, bath and they looked upon the backyard. One had two bedrooms. The other had three. The two bedroom, which was Cottage 2, was taken by the couple who did the gardening. They were married for several years, and had never had any children.

Cottage number one however, was slightly larger with three bedrooms. It was a good size for Clement's family.

Upon arriving at the Cottage, they were met by Harold and Clement. Clement said hello to his mother and sisters and then said. "Mother, I gave you the bedroom with the large window overlooking the gardens." He paused. "Eloise and Marie, you have the bedroom, next to mothers."

Elizabeth realized he had given them the two larger bedrooms and the views of the gardens. Elizabeth then spoke to Cronk, Aceline and the girls, "Come, I will show you which rooms."

Elizabeth led them first to the mother's room, and moved out of the way so Cronk could put Aceline in her bed. She then showed the girls their room.

Elizabeth returned to Aceline's room soon enough. The room had a mahogany bed, with a feather mattress and feather pillows. The room had two dressers and two nightstands, also in mahogany. As promised a large picture window looked out upon the gardens. With curtains embracing the sides.

The girls bedroom was similar, except the window was slightly smaller. The beds were also smaller. But there was two of everything.

Clement's room was slightly down the hall from there. The smallest if the bedrooms, it had a view of the greenhouse. It also had the same kind of furniture, one of everything. His bed, a similar size to his sisters. The walls were painted throughout with a soft linen color.

Sung had followed them shortly after Cronk left. With the wheelchair and some bags, he placed on it. He had instructed Harold to get a new wheelchair and anything else that might need. This was nothing unusual for Lady Elizabeth or Mr. Sung.

They always took good care of the people in their charge or retainers. the question was do we put the girls to work in the house as well training them to be proper ladies and other skills? Sung was not too sure what Lady Elizabeth had planned for them.

After the girls were settled in some. He was not needed by Lady Elizabeth. Sung headed back to the main house. There he checked on what was going on and if anything he needed to deal with.

Cronk gently carried the woman, following Lady Elizabeth. In the room Clement had mentioned, there was a chaise in front of the window looking down into the garden. It was almost as if it was placed there specifically for Aceline.

Cronk squatted once again, not wanting his size to be intimidating. These were his people.

“If need,” Cronk said to the family, “call Cronk.”

"Thank you, Cronk." Aceline responded.

Two servants appeared, the man bowed, while the woman cutised to Elizabeth. Elizabeth proceeded to give them instructions, they were to stay with Aceline, if she needed anything. Elizabeth planned on hiring two proper nurses but that would have to wait.

Clement started to follow Elizabeth out, likely assuming he had to return to work. When Elizabeth said, "Clement, your only job for the rest of the day, is getting your family settled. You are welcomed to take your sisters on a tour of the property." She then turned to the two girls. "Just try not get into trouble." She said with a smile, knowing the girls were unlikely to cause much trouble.

Clement thanked her, then Elizabeth turned to Cronk. "I believe I should start the meeting, shortly."