The Slothful Life

            “Herself lyin’ abed again, is she?” asked Cook as Lalia’s latest  Took handmaiden came to collect a breakfast tray.

            Pearl shrugged, but Cook kept on.  “Fine thing it must be, able to keep under one’s covers past midmornin’, lettin’ others do all the labor.  Not for the likes of Lalia to need to see meals prepared, served, and cleaned up after, nor to see to mendin’ and darnin’.  It’s the others as do all manner of work here, not her.”

            Pearl shrugged again and gave a noncommital smile, but was thoughtful as she carried the tray off to Lalia’s chambers.