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Willow Chapter 15: Trapped
Maggie closed the door of her room gratefully at the end of that long day on which Mr. Brown had returned home. She collapsed on her pallet without bothering to remove her black dress and starched white apron. I’ll hang them up in a moment, she thought. She closed her eyes. The day had begun well enough, with Rose calling her early to make the fires. Cook was bustling about, starting the lamb roast for dinner, and barely paid attention to Maggie.
Rose was rushing here and there, checking that the silver was flawless and reminding Mack to polish the new town car. Maggie came down early, while Mack was still finishing his breakfast. His tone was respectful when he replied to Rose, but once Rose turned her back Mack rolled his eyes and smiled at Maggie as if to say, she’s all up in heap, isn’t she? Maggie pretended not to see him poking fun at Rose. Maggie clung to her position and the money she earned. It helped her mother so much.
The task list for the day was long, but Maggie set about the work with determination. She beat rugs, dusted, and polished the glass globes on the lamps. Just when she thought she might have a few minutes to rest and eat the biscuits and soup Cook had set aside for her, Rose called her to the sitting room. Since she had been in the house, Maggie could not recall a time when the room was used.
