She had never worked a day in her life, and it showed in the smoothness of her hands and her poise. But she was hungry... She had spent the last several days skulking in the library until it was closed, and her nights were spent sleeping wherever she could rest her head. Her funds were gone. She had just enough left to rent a room for an hour just so she could get herself cleaned up and in her best gown, which was a faded grey number that had seen better days, but was at least clean.

Then she packed her carpetbag and went to respond to the ad she had found in the paper in her search for employment.

She arrived at the office and had to lean against the building for a moment. She was feeling lightheaded and stupid for not spending her last bit of coin on food, but it was a catch 22 situation.

Pippa wasn't sure whether just to walk in or knock, so she knocked firmly enough to be heard, but not so firmly that her knuckles hurt. She sighed in the meantime, pressing her hand to her empty belly.