My own problems were put sharply into perspective the next morning, when I met Sally the maid. I'd come down to the kitchen garden and heard the sound of sobbing. I followed the noise and found her sitting in a sheltered corner, next to the potting shed.

 'Sally! Whatever's the matter?' I could have added 'now', but refrained. 

 She leapt up, wiping her eyes on the back of a hand. 

 'It's nothing, my lady. I'm sorry if I disturbed you.'

 'Sally, I don't know what's going on, but I promise you that everything will be much better if you just make a clean breast of it.'

 She stared at me miserably. 'I doubt that, my lady. In any case, I never could.'

 'Well, let me help you. A...

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