Orphan Train

The train, carrying Niamh and about half a dozen other orphans, arrives in the small town of Albans. Niamh is taken by a married couple, Mr. and Mrs. Byrne. They immediately rename her Dorothy. Niamh is surprised to discover that Mr. Byrne is an Irish immigrant too. The Byrnes take Niamh to work in their home sewing business.

Niamh sews in the Byrnes’ home business all day, just like an adult. She works alongside four other women—Bernice, Joan, Sally, Fanny—and one other young girl, Mary, making clothing. The women are friendly and kind, except for Mary. Mary is angry with Niamh/Dorothy.

When Fanny takes Niamh/Dorothy to the outdoor privy, because none of them are allowed to use the indoor bathroom, Fanny gives her an apple. Dorothy hasn’t eaten all day, and the Byrnes didn’t offer her any food.

Mrs. Byrne lays out the house rules at dinner on the first night: Dorothy is to help with dishes and laundry in addition to her sewing chores, and she sleeps on the hallway floor on a pallet that she must store during the day in the closet under the stairs. After dinner, the couple goes upstairs, leaving her to clean up. They put a padlock on the refrigerator between meals.