From the Feast of the Transfiguration on August 6 to the Feast of the Assumption on August 15, and then the celebration of the Feast of the Holy Cross on September 8 and the Feast of the Holy Cross on September 14, Dorothy Hurt and her family could hardly believe that they could wander around and feel the taste of hunger and death on the occasion of the feast of Michael in 1540.

Michael's Day, on September 29, is a holiday in honor of the archangel Michael. Since this date coincides with the autumn harvest season in many parts of Western Europe, both traditional Catholics and rising Protestants will hold a very solemn holiday on this day.

Although the festival was abolished in the 18th century, it was still celebrated as a holy day in England, Wales and Ireland in the late 16th century, when the atmosphere was still strong in the Middle Ages.

The traditional food of the English people on this day is a "stubble goose" (a goose fed with stubble left over from the harvest) and a special loaf known as "St. Michael's Oatmeal Scone". The custom of eating goose meat on this festival is said to be to ensure a more prosperous life in the coming year. The Irish, on the other hand, put the ring in the pie, and whoever eats the ring is considered to be about to get married.

A few weeks ago, after Sir Augustine, the owner of the manor, had agreed that Dorothy's family should live and work on the estate, Bruce, the butler, approached the manor's daughter, Isabel, while she had some free time. At this moment, Bruce stood outside the archery path of the manor's archery field, watching expressionlessly as a heavy arrow accurately hit the red dot in the center of the arrow target in front of the archery.

"Miss, even the archers of all England are not as strong as yours." Bruce's facial expression when he compliments people is still the same as if he is never surprised.

"Bruce, do you remember what I said? When you are praising someone, speak with a smile on your face. Isabel, who stood on either side of the beam in the side-standing position of archery in later generations, instructed the butler standing on the right side of the archery path.

The butler looked a little embarrassed, because of the smile problem Isabel reminded him to pay attention almost every year. This year is already the 6th year, and the butler's face is still a little stiff. Bruce nodded, and tried to make a smile in reply, "Miss, do you think I'm okay like this?" ”

Isabel, who was standing facing the butler, drew a heavy arrow from the quiver on her back and told a white lie, "Good. Bruce, trust me, if you do it a few more times a day, you'll soon be a butler that everyone loves. ”

Bruce didn't believe that his smile would look good at this point, but he was still willing to hear the nice words that came out of Isabel's mouth. When he saw that the other party's second heavy arrow hit the bull's-eye again, he said the purpose of coming to the other party today, "Miss, Dorothy Hurt's current position is... Your valet , huh? ”

Isabel still practiced archery according to the standard procedure of archery in later generations, including 7 main steps: standing, raising, opening, leaning on the string, aiming and sustaining force, spreading, and moving. When she shot the third heavy arrow, she turned her head to look at the butler, "Yes." Actually, I'm going to give her some education, at least basic literacy. ”

"Miss, I would like to tell you that Dorothy, who is from the Yorkshire countryside, is very new to manor life, especially the duties of a maid in terms of work."

"Well, this question... I can understand. Bruce, just say whatever you want to say. ”

As Isabel continued to practice archery, the butler spoke eloquently about his experience in supervising male and female servants, "Miss, I think Dorothy can start as a domestic maid. If she can fully take on the duties of a domestic maid at three months, you can let her be your personal maid. ”

While the butler spoke, Isabel fired two more heavy arrows in succession. After putting down the longbow in his hand, he looked at the bull's-eye, which was almost full of arrows, and said as he walked towards the target: "Well, what duty should the housemaid be responsible for?" ”

"The domestic maid is responsible for cleaning and serving the whole family, cleaning the room, living room, dining table, door, and other places except where there is a dedicated male servant. There are also bed making, room rounds, making sure that daily necessities are sufficient, meal service, and so on. ”

"How did I not know that the housemaid had to do so much work?" Isabel walked over to the target to check her score and looked back at the butler.

By this time, Bruce had followed her footsteps to the outside of the arrow path on the side of the target, "Yes, Miss. I remember very well what every servant in the entire manor should and should not do. ”

"Good. Since you think Dorothy should start working as a house maid first, let her try. After she is familiar with the work of a domestic maid, I will consider making her my personal maid. As Isabel finished speaking, she pulled out several arrows from the target one by one.

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Today is September 26th, and after Sunday lunch, Dorothy plans to visit her eldest son Michael, who works in the stables, after finishing all the day's work except dinner.

Two days later, Michael's Day was not only a holy day for the populace, but also the birthday of her eldest son, Michael. Seven years ago, when everyone around her was celebrating the arrival of the Holy Day, her eldest son also came to this secular world. Therefore, she and her husband named their newborn firstborn son after the archangel.

As she left the manor for the stables, she was fully dressed and wearing two short swords, and Isabel, who was armed with a stabbing sword, chased after her from behind, "Dorothy, you want to go to the stables?" ”

Dorothy looked back, but the person who spoke had already hurried ahead of her. hurriedly trotted after him, glanced at the three swords on the other party's waist and in his hand, and asked with concern, "Miss, you... Where is this going? ”

"I'm going out on some errands. If I don't come back by dinner, tell Sir and Mrs. for me. ”

"Miss, what business takes so long?" When facing the lifesaver of herself and her family, Dorothy, as a maid, couldn't help but say something that she shouldn't have said.

Isabel glanced at her as she walked, "Dorothy, I have a lot of trouble to deal with, so it will take a long time. ”

At this point, Dorothy remembered who she was, and apologized in chagrin, "I beg your pardon, Miss, for saying something I shouldn't have said." ”

"It's okay, I'm not the butler who sleeps in a coffin all day, and I always like to put on a stinky face to reprimand people." Isabel joked with the butler's face.