Chapter ThreeSheena was awakened in the morning by Jeanne, the Head Housemaid, bringing her a cup of tea. This was an honour, because usually one of the under-maids was deputed to perform the unimportant task of calling the Governess.
Jeanne, who was middle-aged, bossy and married to one of the menservants, pulled back the curtains, opened the shutters with a flourish and then set down the tea tray at Sheena’s bedside.
“Thank you. How kind of you, Jeanne!” Sheena exclaimed and, looking at the delicate china arranged on the spotless lace-edged tray-cloth, she added, “It is a surprise to find that people drink tea in the early morning in France. I expected that there would only be coffee.”
“And so there is, mam’selle, in any correct French household,” Jeanne said with something approachin
