(4) Every Saturday Morning
Every Saturday morning she would be filled with excitement. Today she had written a letter to the young lady next door, informing her of the good news. The letter that arrived yesterday was written by the young mistress's uncle, a man who shared no relation to her but was his best friend and most trusted confidant. She was sure today more than any of the Saturdays before, that he would truly be arriving soon. As she was primed that morning she picked out the dress and jewels that she would wear for his arrival. As the servants stood below her as she spoke from the landing leading to their rooms she gave suggestions and specifications for how everything should be for his return, how it all needed to be absolute perfection for when he arrived home after so long. She would spend the whole day going over everything that was being done. Making sure that the tables and rooms and curtains had been cleaned, and that the stables and gardens and feeders had been refreshed and tidied. The mistress would select plates and food and table cloth for his first meal home in nearly ten years. She wanted it all to be perfect, her joy and hope were soaring high as she did what she could to set it all up. Not only had that letter been written by her Uncle, telling her that they would be here this week or the next, but within were the words ‘He’s doing well, as one can on a battlefield.’ a confirmation of his health that she had been begging for.