"Eileen, love. Come to Mama," Mrs Prince called out to her seven- year old daughter as she ran around in the small garden in front of her house.
The Princes were a poor family living a hand-to-mouth existence at Spinner's End. Mr Prince, Eileen's father, was a cobbler who was recently fired from his job. Since then, he had set up his own shop at Spinner's End. Whatever he earned each day was spent in buying food for his wife and daughter. And if ever he earned a penny extra, he always bought a treat for his Eileen. Mrs Prince sold bread and cakes to the residents of Spinner's End. Both of them adored Eileen who came quite late into their lives.
"Eileen, come in," Mrs Prince called out again. "I've got to bake some bread for the Snapes."
Eileen's ears perked up at the mention of the Snapes.
"Mama, isn't that Mr Snape?" she asked, pointing to an aristocratic looking gentleman.
"Yes," Mrs Prince replied. "And it is rude to point at others, Eileen."
Eileen was instantly contrite. "I'm sorry, Mama," she said, her head bent. "Aren't they rich?"
Mrs Prince chuckled. "Yes, they are rich," she replied. "And snobbish too. Better keep away from them."
Eileen kept quiet. Now wasn't the best time to tell her mother that Mr and Mrs Snape's eight- year old son had smiled at her yesterday, she decided. The Snapes were new to Spinner's End and their son, Tobias, studied in the same school as Eileen.
"Did you hear me, Eileen?" Mrs Prince asked. "Stay away from the Snapes. We are not in their league."
"Yes," Eileen whispered.
"Good," Mrs Prince said, satisfied. "Now come in and finish your school work."
