works almost constantly at
Cutlers Tavern.
After Lyddies mother leaves, she sets Lyddie
up to work at a local tavern to pay off family debts. Lyddie is horrified by this thought. She
is independent and does not like being beholden to anyone. The thought of being indentured is
almost unbearable.
Lyddie is a hard worker nonetheless. She is given no time
off at the tavern, because she is forced to sleep in a tiny windowless alcove and she needs to
be in it and leave it before guests notice. This means starting work early in the morning and
ending late at night. When Lyddie is given the job of tending the fire, she ends up sleeping
next to it for fear that it might go out without her noticing.
Other than the
sleeping conditions, Lyddies long hours are partially her own choosing.
Mistress Cutler watched Lyddie like a barn cat on a sparrow, but
Lyddie was determined not to give her cause for complaint. She had worked hard since she could
remember. But now she worked even harder, for who was there to share a moment's leisure with?
(Ch. 3)
Lyddie gets no vacations. She is never able to
leave the tavern. When Mrs. Cutler leaves, Triphena tells Lyddie that she can go wherever she
wants. Lyddie desperately wants to go home to visit her brother, who is working at a nearby
mill. Yet when she gets back, Mrs. Cutler fires her for being away from her work without
permission.
"So! You've decided to honor us with a
visit!" The mistress's face was red with heat or rage. Behind her, Triphena grimaced an
apology.She stood in the doorway, trying to frame an excuse or apology, but
as usual the words did not come quickly enough to mind."You're
dismissed!" the woman said. (Ch. 6)
Lyddie is
relieved to be fired. She feels like Mrs. Cutler has set her free. Now she can do what she
wants, not what her mother wants. Lyddie immediately heads to the factory, where she can make
more money and will not be constantly under someones control. She will pay back the family debt,
but on her own terms.
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