B. Quite right, too, Cis.
C. The dear woman was torn every way. Grandpapa and Aunt Phrasie
wanted her to pin me down into the native stodge; and Lucius, like a
true man, went in for subjection: so there was nothing for it but
to put my foot down. And though little mother might moan a little
to me, I knew she would stand up stoutly for me to all the rest, and
vindicate my liberty.
B. To keep you down there. Such a place is very well to breathe in
occasionally, like a whale; but as to living in them--
C. Just hear how they spend the day. First, 7.30, prayers in
church. The dear old man has hammered on at them these forty years,
with a congregation averaging 4 to 2.5.
B. You are surely not expected to attend at that primitive
Christian hour! Cruelty to animals!
C. If I don't, the absence of such an important unit hurts folks'
feelings, and I am driven to the fabrication of excuses. After
breakfast, whatever is available trots off to din the Catechism and
Genesis into the school-children's heads--the only things my
respected forefather cares about teaching them. Of course back
again to the children's lessons.
B. What children?
C. Didn't I explain? Three Indian orphans of my uncle's, turned
upon my grandfather--jolly little kids enough, as long as one hasn't
to teach them.
B. Are governesses unknown in those parts?
C. Too costly; and besides, my mother was designed by nature for a
nursery-governess. She has taught the two elder ones to be
wonderfully good when she is called off. 'The butcher, ma'am'; or,
'Mrs. Tyler wants to speak to you, ma'am'; or, 'Jane Cox is come for
a hospital paper, ma'am.' Then early dinner, of all things
detestable, succeeded by school needlework, mothers' meeting, and
children's walk, combined with district visiting, or reading to old
women. Church again, high tea, and evenings again pleasingly varied
by choir practices, night schools, or silence, while grandpapa
concocts his sermon.
B. Is this the easy life to which Mrs. Moldwarp has retired?
C. It is her native element. People of her generation think it
their vocation to be ladies-of-all-work to the parish of
Stickinthemud cum-Humdrum.
B. All-work indeed!
C. I did not include Sundays, which are one rush of meals, schools,
and services, including harmonium.
B. No society or rational conversation, of course?
C. Adjacent clergy and clergy woman rather less capable of aught
but shop than the natives themselves! You see, even if I did offer
myself as a victim, I couldn't do the thing! Fancy my going on
about the six Mosaic days, and Jonah's whale, and Jael's nail, and
doing their duty in that state of life where it _HAS_ pleased Heaven
to place them.
B. Impossible, my dear! Those things can't be taught--if they are
to be taught--except by those who accept them as entirely as ever;
and it is absurd to think of keeping you where you would be totally
devoid of all intellectual food!
SCENE.--ART STUDENT AND DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR A YEAR LATER.
SOIREE IN A LONDON DRAWING-ROOM. PROFESSOR DUNLOP AND CECILIA.
PROF. D. Miss Moldwarp? Is your mother here?