Chapter 61 – Miss Fairborne’s Decision
Josh hadn’t intended to conduct any market research.
As he had told the other lads while pulling and pushing the handcart toward the bustling street, he meant to scout the area where his younger classmates were selling newspapers and pies, making sure there were no hidden hazards waiting to prey on vulnerable street urchins – the police paid them little mind, focusing instead on maintaining order in wealthier neighbourhoods.
However, when he noticed the wary gaze a housewife cast upon him after one of the newsboys knocked on her door, Josh knew he had to say something. Otherwise, he might be mistaken for a bully waiting to snatch away the boy’s hard-earned coins.
“Good day, madam,” Josh said, lifting his cap in a brief bow. “I am his classmate, and I am currently conducting some market research.”
“Market research?” The doubt in the housewife’s eyes was evident.
Josh calmly took out his notebook, flipped to a fresh page, and began scribbling with his pencil as he spoke. “Yes. Our school intends to apply for a place in a charity bazaar, so I would like to ask around and learn what sort of goods a lady such as yourself might wish to purchase.”
The housewife glanced at the newsboy, who seemed slightly confused at first, but quickly nodded and gave her an eager smile.
She often bought from these boys and knew they came from the same ragged school – one that, to her surprise, had been running steadily without any sign of closing. She studied them both more carefully, ensuring the younger boy was at ease, then nodded. “I’ve never heard of such a thing, but you may ask.”
“Thank you, madam,” Josh replied with a polite smile. “At present, our students have made accessories such as brooch and earrings. Some have also crafted artificial flowers that may be used for household decoration, like this.”
He showed her a rough sketch. Simple, but clear enough to convey the idea.
The housewife’s tension eased at the sight of it. Only those with some education could write and sketch, and the design itself was unfamiliar – he must have seen such items before. After a moment of thought, she said, “The flowers would be useful. What else is your school preparing? And when will the bazaar be held?”
“The date has not yet been decided, but we are making preparations,” Josh explained. “We hope to provide goods that our customers truly need. So rather than telling you what we have, we would prefer to ask – what would you find useful, madam? What sort of decorations or accessories would you be interested in?”
The conversation lasted a few minutes, touching briefly on types of goods and prices. When it ended, Josh thanked the housewife and moved on to the next house with the newsboy, who was watching him eagerly.
Josh noticed the look and raised a brow. “What?”
“Miss Jade is so brilliant to let you ask around!” Jim exclaimed. The newsboy kept his voice low. “With this, um, research, those in tuition class can make things the housewives actually need, and we’ll earn better coins!”
And better coins meant better food at school! Jim licked his lips, imagining the meals the domus kitchen could provide with a better budget.
“...” Josh glanced at his notebook, paused, then gave a shrug. “Yup. So let’s go to the next house that will buy from you. We’ll ask only them. Others aren’t our target audience.”
“Target audience?”
“Um, I’m not entirely sure, but Miss Jade uses the term when she refers to people most likely to buy from us…”
Thus, Josh’s goal for the day shifted from merely observing potential threats to also conducting a small amount of market research. He had not expected Jim to dare approach a proper lady seated in a tea room, who clearly did not seem like their target audience.
I’ll wallop that brat’s head after this, Josh muttered inwardly, as he politely addressed the lady attended by her maid. “Good day, Miss. My apologies if our lad had disturbed you earlier. Would you mind lending us a few minutes for a small product interview? I am conducting market research to determine what sort of goods we should prepare for a charity bazaar.”
The lady, who appeared to be about Miss Jade’s age, wore a dress made of fine fabric and delicate embroidery. Her hat – violet, velvety, and secured with a silver hatpin – was adorned with a cluster of trembling gemstone flowers. It was the latest fashion: such ornaments employed a coiled mechanism that allowed the flowers or butterflies to quiver slightly, creating the illusion of something alive resting upon the wearer.
Josh would not have known any of this before winter. It was only after his Sensei had begun rambling about how to make use of scrap fabrics – trying to make them appear fashionable and refined – that he had learned to recognise quality materials and current trends. He had even been the one to purchase second-hand fashion magazines for her, using coins she had heartbrokenly picked from her pouch – “I could have bought butter with these…” his Sensei had said through gritted teeth. “These magazines, they better be worth my coins!”
Thanks to this scattered knowledge, Josh immediately recognised that the lady before him likely came from a wealthy family. Perhaps of similar standing to their landlord, or at least within the same social class.
Such people would hardly purchase the smaller goods from their school’s stall at a charity bazaar; they were too crude for the tastes of refined gentlewomen. Josh had always considered the gentry and respectable working ladies their primary customers. However… proper ladies might take an interest in the larger piece – the auction item.
With that in mind, Josh subtly adjusted his question.
“Market research?” The lady repeated, giving him a measured look before nodding. “Very well. You may proceed.”
“Miss, if you were to purchase a decorative piece at a charity auction – where most items are handcrafted – what would you prefer?” Josh asked.
He knew the tuition class was preparing a five-fold screen – a confirmed money-making centrepiece. But he was uncertain how ladies of higher standing would view their other works: artificial flower bouquets, velvet flower brooches, and shadow paper art. Though well made, their materials alone might place them beneath upper-class taste.
The young lady blinked and considered for some time before replying, “Something rare and unique. Something special, produced only in limited numbers, yet beautiful and aesthetically pleasing for display.”
Josh recalled his Sensei saying something similar and felt a renewed sense of admiration for her insight. “And what size would you prefer, Miss?” he asked. “Small? Or large?”
“It matters little,” The young lady replied lightly. “If it is worthy, there will always be those who appreciate its beauty.”
Josh did not press further. “And what price would you expect to pay for such an auction piece?”
“All that I can spare, if I truly favour it.” She cast him a quiet glance. “If it is something exquisite and irreplaceable, money is of little concern.”
Josh nodded and quickly jotted down her words. He tipped his cap and gave another small bow. “Thank you very much for your time, Miss. I wish you a pleasant day.”
The lady gave a light nod as he excused himself.
Jim, who had been watching from the side, yapped, “Have a nice day!” before hurrying after Josh as they left the porch.
The lady and her maid could hear the newsboy asking something along the lines of, “Why did you ask the Miss different questions?” They could not hear the teenage boy’s reply, but they watched as he dismissed the newsboy and returned to the stall to help pack up. Every bit of food they had brought had already been sold.
The lads worked quickly. Soon, everything was cleared and packed away, and even the rubbish had been tidied into a bucket.
Miss Fairborne watched them leave, her brows drawing together slightly. “They are from Wyrnfield, are they not? But that is not the way back…”
“I know, I know,” Kathy replied at once. “I ran into them once when I was delivering our laundry to the laundress. They were heading to the dressmaker’s back door to ask for scrap fabrics.”
Miss Fairborne paused, then finished her tea. “Which dressmaker?”
“Madam Kennyworth’s,” Kathy answered, catching the hint as she quickly gathered the items from the tabletop. When her eyes fell upon the unfinished slice of cake, she heard her young mistress say, “Take it. It may serve as your supper, if you don’t mind.”
A sweet treat! Kathy quickly took out her patched handkerchief, wrapped the remaining cake, and tucked it into her pocket beneath her apron. “Thank you, Miss Lydia!”
She had always been grateful for the opportunity to serve in the household of the Dowager Countess and Miss Lydia – they were the kindest masters she could have hoped for. Straightening her posture, she ensured nothing had been left behind, gave a slight bow, and stepped back to her usual place behind her mistress. In a lowered voice, she added the information she had gathered: “I passed by the storefront earlier. Behind the large window, I saw some new hats. Affordable for working ladies, and the flowers were arranged very delicately, with matching colours.”
Miss Fairborne knew the way to Madam Kennyworth’s Dresser Room, her steps toward it were without hesitation.
“I have not been there since winter,” she said. “What sort of new hats do they offer?”
“Mostly hats and decorative flowers for working ladies, but there were a few that might suit our dear Lady, and you as well, Miss Lydia,” Kathy recalled. “Those new flowers do not look like Madam Kennyworth’s usual work… The shape seemed different, yet still delicate.”
Madam Kennyworth’s was only a few streets away.
When they reached the storefront, the young lady finally saw the flowers her maid had described with her own eyes. They were indeed made with a different technique, quite unlike the ones she was accustomed to wearing. And yes, as the maid had praised, they were delicate at first glance.
When she inquired, Madam Kennyworth – the proprietor and head dressmaker – nodded and replied, “Yes, these new pieces are all made by the children of the Wyrnfield Ragged School. They have begun holding a tuition class during the winter to teach the students practical skills, and these are among the results.”
Miss Fairborne picked up a hat and examined the flowers attached to it. There were one or two flaws, and the materials were beneath her usual standard, but they would suit the working class – and perhaps even some daughters of the gentry.
Baking, cooking, handicraft, even event planning… What else are you capable of, Miss Lysmere? Miss Fairborne mused, as a thought began to take shape.
“Oh! Miss Fairborne, you must look at this,” Madam Kennyworth said, presenting a hatpin, her excitement evident. “This one is quite special, I have never seen such a detailed technique!”
The hatpin was somewhat short for Miss Fairborne’s taste, but the tiny red blossom at its tip caught her eye. The threads had been carefully aligned, fixed with glue, then pressed and shaped into a lifelike rose. Unfortunately, it was not made of silk, nor was it fitted with the latest spring mechanism – Miss Fairborne could easily imagine how charming it would be if a bright, trembling rose seemed to rest upon her hat…
“Wrap this for me. I shall take it,” Miss Fairborne said, having made her decision.
She would persuade her grandmama to agree to holding the charity bazaar at the Silver Acorn.
She looked forward to seeing what sort of work Miss Lysmere and her students would present.