Winefred: A Story of the Chalk CliffsBaring-Gould, S. (Sabine)
General
Winefred: A Story of the Chalk Cliffs
Baring-Gould, S. (Sabine)
English fiction
'Learn the fingering――that is all she requires,' said Mrs. Jose. 'In
'igh society they hold themselves above shoppies. All things don't
agree with every one. There is my cat is ill after eating herrings.
You must not let out that you have been a hawker. We know that by
nature all are equal. Scripture says so, just as hams be when they
come from the pig. But, my! what a difference there be in the curing!
It is that which gives style and flavour, and makes a prime Wiltshire
or a Yorkshire stand out above your raw green hams. It is into the
pickle you must put Winefred, and I'll see to it, and the pickle must
get right down into her bone. I don't approve of glazing and flummery,
and when you cut in――nothing but saltpetre. If she is to dress and act
as a lady, she must think and feel as a lady. When I see an old woman
dressed very young, I say it is mutton with mint sauce, served as lamb;
we will have Winefred real, and she has a right to be that, for her
father was a gentleman. Mrs. Tomkin-Jones is my cousin, but I don't
presume on that. She was a Stripe, and that was the name of my mother's
family.'
'And do you think you can persuade them to take my Winefred――if I pay?'
'I will try. They used to keep their carriage. I don't say that they do
so now. But it is not forgotten that they did. Keeping your carriage
and pair――it sticks to one just as the smell of lavender does to your
linen if you have kept them together.'
Mrs. Jose considered. Presently she said, 'But not a breath of a word
about the huxtering. You know very well, Jane, I want to be delicate,
but I can't help myself, I must explain. There are Mrs. Ball, the
greengrocer, and Mrs. Trant, who has the drapery. Have they ever
asked you to take a cup o' tea with them――I mean at the same table?
No, they would say it would not be fitting and proper, because you
were a travelling hawker. You see what a difference it makes your
having a shop counter fixed, and one you carry about with you. Now the
Tomkin-Joneses are above Mrs. Ball and Mrs. Trant as the lark is above
the barndoor poultry. So you may conceive that if she knew what you had
been――――'
Jane Marley's face became stern. She interrupted Mrs. Jose with, 'Put
me aside. If I can get my Winnie into that family I will not stand in
the way. I have stood in my own light long enough, and will not spoil
my child's future. It is because I am not a lady that I have been as
a cloud tossed by the tempest, and never able to find repose. _He_
supposed that she could not be much, come of such as me; but when he
saw her, then he discovered his error. There is the stuff in her――――'
'Yes, and all required is that it shall be properly cut out.'
'Tell your friends that her father was a gentleman who has lost his
wife.'
'But Winefred will speak of you.'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account