As they coasted down the long drive, Pamela's eyes were filled with a vision of close-fitting grey stone, black slate roofs and bevelled, leaded glass. Beyond the house was what appeared to be a tiny village, but was in fact a number of farm buildings with thatched roofs. In the distance were rolling pastures dotted with sheep, some sort of shaggy cattle and a few horses. The various fields were separated by unmortared stone walls, and she could see as they approached the house that a pond or small lake lay behind it.
They were met at the door by a middle-aged woman dressed in what was obviously an old-fashioned maid's attire. She turned a baffled gaze upon Pamela until Mrs. Dewhurst spoke up.
'Susan, I would like you to meet your new workmate.' The woman smiled and, to Pamela's amused astonishment, curtsied. 'You may as well get her settled in, first. She has had a long journey, and will no doubt find our ways somewhat incomprehensible, unless they are explained to her, which I am sure you will do at great length. When you have shown her where she is to sleep, take her to the kitchens, and by all means feed her. While you are doing so, you might provide her with an outline as to household routine, and where she is to fit in in the overall scheme of things.' Turning to Pamela, she said, 'Well, my dear, I leave you in Mrs. Pascoe's competent hands. Come, Theo, tell me all about your foray to Londinium.'
'That's the old Roman name for London,' Susan said with a smile as Pamela picked up her suitcase and they began walking towards a sweeping marble staircase. 'Mrs. D. is forever showing off her useless university degree. So you're Pamela Dee! Fancy that! Now we have old Mrs. D. and young Miss Dee. Have you been to England before?'
'I've never travelled before,' Pamela said, glad for Susan's direct, straightforward nature. 'This was the first time I'd ever been in a plane. Or a place like this. I still don't understand why Mrs. Dewhurst decided to take a chance on me.'
'We all of us have to start somewhere,' Susan said matter-of-factly. Once at the top of the stairs they turned to the left and went down to the end of the hall to the last door. Opening it, Mrs. Pascoe said, 'Here we are. This used to be . . . but never mind! This will be your room now. Old Mrs. Hamberly had this room for a very long time, but she's been gone for ages. She was Theo's nanny, and his father's before.'