"I worked in the palace for almost twelve years," Ginger replied, simply. "I was a servant to-" she hesitated, but then figured there was no harm in keeping the secret now that her mistress was dead, "Lady Agnes, who was mute. I speak sign language," Ginger added, signing this last sentence with her hands as she spoke it, and continuing to sign as she spoke, "My sister was born deaf, so I learned signing as I learned to speak."