Four months later, I received a new job. “The Mistress needs a new personal servant to help her,” Martha explained. “Serah says you’ll do just fine, now that you know our language well enough.”

“Me?” I asked nervously. “But I’ve never done anything like it before. What if I do something wrong?”

“Tirzah—she’s another servant—will teach you until you are ready,” Martha answered. “Just do what you’re told and you’ll learn quickly.”

“But I’m only eight.”

“Mistress said she wants a young girl,” Martha explained impatiently.

“Why?”