maid chapter 22

But to Ellie, even this church seemed grand. The church in her impoverished rural village often gave out more money to the community than it received in donations. They provided food and clothing to struggling families and taught the children to read.

Ellie looked around in wonder. She whispered, observing an elaborately dressed woman standing near the front, “That woman must be very rich….”

Daniel, unconsciously following Ellie’s gaze, was speechless.

The woman wore a voluminous crinoline dress and a lace-trimmed parasol. Like a nouveau riche mimicking an aristocrat, or perhaps a young woman mimicking the nouveau riche. It wasn’t difficult to guess her profession.

Anyone else might have wondered if Ellie was being deliberately naive, but with Ellie, it seemed entirely plausible that she genuinely didn’t know. Daniel curtly replied, “She’s a prostitute.”

“Huh?”

“She sells her body.”

Ellie’s eyes went wide. Her face flushed, and she struggled to speak. It seemed difficult for her to comprehend. The idea of a woman who sold herself for money, day and night, attending church on a Sunday morning.

As Daniel suspected, all Ellie knew about such a profession came from rumors. Even then, it was something adults would say to dissuade young girls from yearning for the city, so she hadn’t paid much attention.

Flustered, she blurted out, “Oh, well, she is pretty. Actually, you’re prettier, but, I mean, uh….”

Daniel frowned. Ellie bit her lip. It definitely wasn’t the right time to compliment his looks.

“I just meant you’re that pretty. I didn’t mean anything strange….”

As Ellie stammered, someone tugged at the hem of her skirt. But there was no one behind her. Her gaze naturally drifted downwards.

A young girl with wide eyes looked up at her. Ellie had only been in the city for a few days, so naturally, she had never seen this girl before.

The girl suddenly held out her hand. A single yellow flower, wrapped in thin paper. Ellie instinctively accepted the flower.

“Huh?”

“Money, please.” The girl opened her small palm. Ellie then noticed the flower basket hanging from the girl’s arm.

Come to think of it, she had seen girls selling flowers and trinkets like this at the train station. She hadn’t expected them to be here in front of the church. It seemed they went anywhere a crowd gathered.

The girl barely reached Ellie’s waist. A young girl, too small to even do housework. A wave of pity washed over Ellie, but all she had was a single coin for the offering. She offered the flower back to the girl.

“I’m sorry, I don’t have any money.”

The girl quickly pulled her hand back, then looked up at Ellie with the most pitiful expression. It was practically extortion, but Ellie couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. Her youngest sister, Amy, was about this girl’s age.

The girl wore clothes too big for her small frame. Though worn in places, they showed no signs of mending. Did this child also have no parents? If she had at least a sibling or relative to care for her, she wouldn’t have to sell flowers on the street.

Ellie stood there, flustered and unsure what to do. Seeing this, Daniel took out his wallet and offered the smallest coin to the girl.

“Here, for the flower.”

Like a sparrow spotting a breadcrumb, the girl snatched the coin and, without a word of thanks, darted away as if afraid it would be taken back. Other children in similar circumstances, scattered around the area, swarmed towards her.

A small coin, barely enough to buy a loaf of bread. It wouldn’t be enough to feed all those children. Ellie watched them go with a pang of sympathy. Daniel chided her, “Don’t just accept things when they’re offered. They’ll never leave you alone.”

“Oh….” Ellie replied dejectedly. Honestly, she was in no position to pity anyone. If she hadn’t been lucky enough to find work, her own siblings would have been scattered as well.

Her aunt would never have taken them in out of the goodness of her heart. But Ellie couldn’t resent her for it. Everyone was just trying to survive.

Ellie offered the flower to Daniel.

“Here’s the flower….”

“Keep it.” Daniel turned away dismissively. A small smile touched Ellie’s lips.

He spoke gruffly, but he always helped her like this. Ellie carefully tucked the flower Daniel had bought her between the pages of her Bible.

“Thank you.”