The woman adjusted her scarf. “Aye. I’ve heard the children speak of you in the yard.”
“There’s some fine children here in the workhouse. I hope to be of use to them,” Audrey said.
The woman studied her curiously. “Do you? That’s a different way of it. Most schoolmistresses who’ve been through here have been hard as nails.”
“That way might work for some.” Audrey shrugged.
“Perhaps. But those hard as nails ones didn’t fare well. Maybe you’ll do better.”
“Maybe.” She looked about the small room that was smaller than hers by half. The woman appeared to have the room to herself, and Audrey wondered at it. That was unusual. Music hall pictures taken from magazines adorned the walls, and pictures of flowers were pasted all around her.
“I like your ribbon,” Audrey told her.
The woman touched her hair. “I love yellow. It’s always been my favorite color. It reminds me of the sun.”
“What’s your name?” Audrey asked.
The woman looked surprised. “Oh, didn’t I say? My name is Marguerite Shirley.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Shirley.”
Marguerite immediately shook her head. “No, no! Don’t call me that. You must call me Marguerite.”
“Marguerite,” Audrey repeated.
She eyed Audrey. “I’ve been at the workhouse for so long, sometimes I forget the world passes me by.”
“Yes, it does,” Audrey agreed. “What was the song you were humming earlier?”
“Oh, that. It’s called ‘Rory O’ Moore.’ Have you heard of it?”
“I don’t think so.” It didn’t seem familiar, at least.
Marguerite chuckled. “Well, you wouldn’t have. I wager the song is older than you.”
Audrey ventured further into the room. “How does it go?”
Marguerite paused to think on it and then began to sing. Her voice was clear and high as she sang the words.
“Young Rory O’More courted Kathleen Bawn
He was bold as a hawk and she soft as the dawn
He wished in his heart pretty Kathleen to please
And he thought the best way to do that was to tease.
‘Now Rory be easy,’ sweet Kathleen would cry
Reproof on her lip but a smile in her eye
‘With your tricks I don’t know in troth what I’m about
Faith you’ve teased till I’ve put on my cl
oak inside out.’”
Audrey laughed and clapped. “It’s wonderful.”