In the days of old England, when a womans fortune was often tied to her marriage, young Eleanor was the only daughter of doting parents. Her father guarded her fiercely, while her mother, ever the pragmatist, would often remind her:
A good marriage is the key to happiness. A wealthy husband means a comfortable life.
Eleanor, ever the dutiful daughter, agreed. But where was this wealthy suitor? At university, there were fine young men, of course. She even had a fiancé from a respectable family.
Yet her father kept a watchful eyeno late-night strolls, no student gatherings, no countryside excursions. All was under his strict control.
Before long, her enviable fiancé found himself a livelier, more spirited companion than Eleanor.
But then came her final examinations, and matters of the heart took a backseat.
After graduation, with her fathers connections, she secured a respectable position. Her mother, ever the strategist, took charge of her personal affairs.
Eleanor, my dear, you must consider this gentleman carefully. He is older, but that is an advantage, not a drawback. Why settle for a boy when you could have a man of substance? Albert Whitmore is serious-minded, with his own firm. Youll never want for anything.
But hes been married before, Mother! He has a daughteralimony to pay.
Dont trouble yourself over that. His first wife was foolish, and she lives far away now with the child. Its no concern of ours.
And so, they met. Eleanors father remained silent, having long since withdrawn from his daughters affairs after her schooling.
Let the women handle it.
To her own surprise, Eleanor found Albert Whitmore quite agreeable.
Ten years her senior, yet distinguished, well-mannered, impeccably dressed. She would not object.
He, in turn, was charmed by Eleanor, and soon they wed.
Her mother sighed in reliefher duty fulfilledand turned her attention to herself: salons, shopping, travels with her own husband to warmer climes, now without her daughter in tow.
And Eleanor, following her mothers example, indulged herself freely.
Her husband encouraged her whims. She lived for pleasure.
Household duties amounted only to instructing the maid, who managed well enough without her interference.
Then, like a bolt from the blue, disaster struck.
Alberts first wife passed awayunder what circumstances, Eleanor did not inquire.
And so, he was obliged to take in his daughter!
Unthinkable! So much for “no concern.” What was to be done? Eleanor had delayed having a child of her own for reasons she hardly knew, and now here was this girl, thrust into her home, expecting her to play “mother.”
But there was no choice.
Albert did not ask her opinionhe simply informed her and asked for kindness.
The child was innocent, after all.
Soon, he fetched the girl himselfa thin suitcase and a schoolbag in tow.
Margaret was already in her third year of school, tall, quiet, almost unnervingly silent, Eleanor noted.
Not a word out of her, everything done in hushed steps.
At least she resembled her fatherno doubt of her parentage, not some fools misbegotten child.
Life in the grand house with her father, stepmother, and the maid weighed heavily on Margaret.
This was not what she was used to.
After supper, she would dash to wash dishes, ask for the broom to sweep, attempt to iron her own clothes. It all vexed Eleanor terribly.
Her father, consumed by work, returned late, with little time to spare for affection.
His wife received his attentions freely, but Margaret got, at best, a pat on the head and a perfunctory:
How was school?
Still, Eleanor found herself constrainedno longer free to come and go as she pleased, to visit her favourite haunts, to tend to herself.
She needed her rest, her leisurely mornings, her time at the computer, idly scrolling through society pages.
And then Margaret returned, a responsibility she could not escapeAlbert asked her to oversee the girls studies.
So Eleanor considered: why not suggest sending the child away to some fine boarding school?
But she hesitated, proposing instead an after-school programme:
You see, Im not a teacher. I cant help with her lessons. And lookher marks are slipping. At school, she does better. Its for her own good.
Alberts anger made her regret the suggestion at once.
And so it dragged ona joyless arrangement, full of irritation and discontent.
Two years later, Eleanor bore a son. A nursemaid was discussed, but Margaret, now nearly twelve, offered to help care for her brother.
And indeed, no better nursemaid could be found!
Margaret managed everythinglessons, playtime, ironing for herself and little Daniel.
Soon, the linens fell to her as well, for the maid, Agnes, was past sixty and growing weary.
Eleanor adjusted, growing accustomed to Margarets diligence, while she herself devoted ample time to maintaining the charm expected of a society lady.
Daniel grew fond of his elder sister, as did she of him
By the time Margaret finished school, Daniel was starting his first year. Once again, his education fell to his sister, who had grown wise beyond her years.
She enrolled at university, studied English, and taught her brother.
Dont you think, my dear, that youve left all the care of the house and our son to Margaret? Albert asked one evening, as Eleanor was rarely home after noon, sometimes not even by nightfall.
She had her circle nowsocial engagements, teas, outings.
What exactly displeases you, my love? Your daughter manages splendidly. Agnes only pretends to workshe cooks, and thats the end of her duties.
Thats just it. The rest falls to Margaret, doesnt it?
Eleanor said nothing.
Yes, to Margaret! But did the girl complain? And Danielhis mother sometimes took him along. Last week, she brought him to an exhibition. A museum, a childrens concert. Was that not enough?
When Margaret graduated, her father brought her into his firm.
The business had long outgrown domestic markets, and a translator was just what they needed.
There, she met James, a sharp young man from sales.
Love bloomed at once, under her astonished fathers very eyes.
He had never imagined his quiet, reserved daughter would dare an office romance. It troubled him at first.
But Margaret declared they would marryand for the first time in her life, she stood her ground. He had no choice but to relent
Eleanor was no less dismayed. She was losing her household helper, and Agnes had already given noticeage had caught up with her. Albert showed no haste in finding a replacement.
Margaret, ever dutiful, reassured her:
Ill still help, Mother. Ill come once a week, tidy, iron. Its what Ive always done.
Once a week? Make it more often, her stepmother replied curtly.
Still, Margaret moved in with her husband after a lavish wedding, setting up her own household.
And James grew idle.
First, he spoke of starting his own business.
He quit his job and buried himself in his computer.
But nothing came of it. Starting from scratch was no easy feat.
His father-in-law, furious at his recklessness, refused to helpthough he did increase Margarets wages.
Unaccustomed to spending on herself, she poured every penny into their household, even slipping spare coins to her grown brother when she could.
Meanwhile, James flat was mortgaged, he liked fine clothes and meals, and dining out and holidays were non-negotiable.
And Margaret? She juggled housekeeping, finances, and still helped her mother. Such was her lot
Then came the upheaval.
Alberts health failed just as foreign partners withdrew from the business.
Everything plummeted.
The firm barely stayed afloat.
When Albert realized he could no longer sustain it, he had no choice but to sell.
Margaret kept her posther father persuaded the new owner to retain her, though a translator was hardly needed now.
He agreed, but her wages were slashed.
James, already idle, grew despondentespecially after Alberts passing.
Eleanor and Daniel, too, were adrift. They needed support, and Margaret moved back in, leaving her husband to his brooding:
Either you find proper work, or were through!
Yet at the same time, Margaret discovered she was expecting.
Any woman might have rejoiced, but James response stunned her.
A child? Be sensible! No job, no money. Your father left you with nothingmust we live in squalor?
Margaret sat heavily, struck dumb.
She filed for divorce at once, waiting no longer for his conscience to awaken.
Whatever love shed had for that layabout had long since withered.
She returned to live with her stepmother and brother, who, bright and good-natured, did well in school.
Financially, times were lean. Albert had not left Eleanor
