Nuala rushed down the stairs of her Aunt Jane's town-house. It was already passed 10 on a Saturday and by now people would be wondering why she wasn't out and about. Eversince her father, Angus McNair, a respected Gunslinger, had been relocated to Camelot to help the war effort, Nuala took to visiting him on the weekends. Friday afternoon she'd arrive. On Saturday's she sold wool goods. Rose, her mother, did not pass up an opportunity to sell their wares on weekly visits to a City as big as Camelot. Sunday morning would be spent with her father and that afternoon Nuala would head home.
“Whoa!” Spinning on her heels, Nuala just missed a collision with the maid who carried a basket of freshly cleaned towels. “Sorry Miss Katie!”
The new maid pressed her back against the wall, catching her breath and clutching her heart. Miss Katie shook her head as she watched the wild girl hop over Poppy, the lazy old Beagle, and turn the corner. Heading for the kitchen, no doubt. Over sleeping meant no proper breakfast. Nuala had to get something to eat. There was only Mrs. Anne 'Cook' Smith to worry about now. Thankfully the side door of the kitchen faced the little alley where her beige Shire mare Clover stood, already hitched to the wee wagon that carried the wool merchandise. Just beyond the garden and picket fence. Nuala dashed through and snatched a hot pie.
“Hey!” Cook waved a hot spatula in the air. “What are you doing in here you little ragamuffin? Hey, give that back!”
Ignoring Cook's swears and fuming, and dodging a swipe to the butt from her spatula, Nuala ran out the door, crossed the garden, jumped the fence, and mounted Clover. Her wagon did not have a bench to sit on, just the saddle on Clover was to be her seat. Nuala clicked her toungue just as Cook lumberd out of the house to get her revenge. When Nuala was far enough away, she slowed down and took a bite of the delightful pastry.
“AH!” She cringed. “Haht, haht, haht, haht!”
Some crumbs fell, but nothing to get upset over. Blowing it off a little, Nuala closed her eyes and shoved the rest down her throat. She was so hungry. It felt scorching despite the attempt to cool it off. Regardless of this she had to begin her day! Nuala sang a song she wrote as an announcement to Camelot that she was ready to meet them. She called it 'Song of the Wool Maiden.'
Come one and all, one and all,
Oh Camelot.
Come one and all, one and all,
to my wool cart.
If you will buy, I would sell my cart dry,
Come one and all, one and all!
Come one and all, one and all,
Oh Camelot.
Come one and all, one and all,
In the morning.
I have fine threads, colored clothes, and quilts,
Come one and all, one and all!
Come one and all, one and all,
Oh Camelot.
Come one and all, one and all,
Till the evening.
When the day is done, I'll be off before the sun.
So, Come one and all, one and all!
Oh, Camelot!
Stopping her cart at the last note, as was her custom, she slipped off Clover to greet the children. Nuala was made to sell wool goods by her mother, but she made little caramels to sell too. As sated by her sign.
Nuala's Wool Wagon
Quilts 10 for a large, 5 for small
Clothe 2 per yard, 200 per ream
Thread 1 per spool, 10 per set
*Special Orders Vary*
Caramel Bites (Hard and Soft) ½ for one, 5 for a cone
But of course, the kids got a free sample every visit. It was something special for them to look forward to, in these dreadful times. Refugees need something to smile about. So Nuala brought them candy. But the adults had to pay for theirs. A girls got to make money, right?
“Okay, one at a time now.” She told them. “Get in a line behind Joseph.”