Mellow Fruitfulness (5)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

There was a deal of looking through Sir Charles’ fine collection of agricultural periodicals to see did they have aught to say upon the matter of hothouses and the cultivation of grapes and pineapples, and he dared say there were books one might send for –

La, said Clorinda, I confide there are a deal of books, and if they are like unto these articles that we go peruse, will be a deal of crying down of what other fellows have writ as well as how they go about the matter themselves. But sure, does not Lord Raxdell’s Mr Roberts grow some most out of the common fruit in his hothouses?

Indeed so, said Sir Charles, the fellow has an entire green hand, no mere green thumb. Of course, Lady Bexbury, you have interest in that quarter – might you see whether he could advize?

Entirely! said Clorinda, making a note in her little memorandum book. And I confide that Marcello would be delighted to send you cuttings from his fine vines.

They all smiled around at one another, and then Charles pulled a face and said, ‘tis entirely congenial to speak of such matters, but I daresay we should go dress to receive the company that comes to dine.

They all sighed.

But sure ‘twas amuzing to see how their neighbours goggled upon Clorinda, and how the gentlemen stammered. Doubtless all hoped to hear scandal but instead learnt a deal about the very fine works that the Reverend Mr Thorne and his good lady were doing among the convicts in New South Wales, and how one might improve the lot of the weak-sighted poor by providing ‘em with spectacles. And what charities did they have hereabouts?

Indeed the gentlemen lingered a most exceeding short while over port and tobacco after the ladies had withdrawn, and rejoined them most expeditious. Milly played for them upon the piano, that had now been tuned, and Charles was persuaded to sing, alas that this encouraged certain others of the company that did not have such fine voices to do likewise, until Hester said, o, I hope ‘tis not an uncivil request, Lady Bexbury, but would you give us a little reading from Shakspeare? You are so noted for that matter –

Clorinda smiled and said, ‘twas ever a pleasure to read the fine words of the Swan of Avon – Charles put the volume into her hand – and after leafing through it for a few moments, found Twelfth Night and gave them some exceeding fine speeches.

This led on to more general conversation about the theatre and plays until the company, keeping country hours, departed.

I hope ‘twas not too tedious for you? Hester asked Clorinda.

Fie, I was not obliged to go spill my wine as if by accident over some fellow, I will count it a success. She stood up, went over to kiss Hester, and said that she was for bed. And that Sophy had begged leave to provide Livvy with a little schooling in matters of the secrets of her profession, if that was agreeable? Had some intention to show her the making of washes and lotions, if she might go gather some herbs in the garden and have the use of the stillroom, the morrow.

O, that is most exceeding kind! I fancy Livvy takes an exceeding admiration towards Sophy.

Sophy is an excellent good girl. Somewhat of a flirt where there are men-servants, but entire proper in her behaviour.

The next morning Sir Charles took a notion to go walk about the garden to think of where they might put a hothouse, for they would not wish it at any great distance from the house. So the three of them went out, both ladies with parasols against the sun, that blazed in the sky, and took a turn around the house – the paths had been carefully levelled and smoothed so that Hester’s chair would run easily when she went outdoors – and observed the exceeding pretty sight of Sophy and Livvy gathering herbs in the herb-garden.

Their converse was borne upon the breeze. Livvy sighed and said that sure she doubted she could remember all this. Sophy said that ‘twas a good practice to have a fine book in which to write down the mysteries of such matters. (Clorinda was heard to give a muffled giggle.) Livvy said dolefully that she could only write a little, had no skill with a pen –

Why, said Sophy, was not Miss Millick a governess? Mayhap she could give you a little schooling in the matter, in return for mending &C. Or indeed, I daresay she would like some fine lotion for her hands.

They all looked benignly at the two girls. ‘Tis an excellent thought, said Hester, and sure I fear that Milly finds time hang a little heavy. I was in some thought to have little Lou come stay with us, and keep up her lessons, but I fancy she would find it somewhat dull here; and there is some suggestion that she might go stay with the Ferrabys at Raxdell House upon their return to Town.

‘Twould be an excellent thing – company for Bess Ferraby now her sister goes to school – and among her other friends – and – o, perchance I misread the matter? But I thought that Sir Toby Madden showed some notion towards Miss Millick.

Hester and Charles looked at one another. Sure, he always showed most exceeding civil to Milly when he called, and perhaps the sight of her at the tea-table made him wishful to have her at his own?

But, said Charles, let us not have the banns called before we discover whether Miss Millick has any mind to him.

They stood and gazed around them and smelt the fine scents of flowers and Hester thought how different it was from those tedious summers at Monks Garrowby, and wondered how all the children got on, and – sure ‘tis a pity, she said, that poor young Charles has found the lady of his heart and finds she is entire of the same mind but this matter of mourning must keep ‘em separate this age.

O, said Clorinda, once Society is returned to Town, I apprehend that Lord Nuttenford goes as it were take His Grace of Mulcaster as a mentor, as he too succeeded some considerable while before he had anticipated to, and will be, I daresay, in and out of Mulcaster House, and Miss Gold is an intimate of the Duchess and I am like to suppose will be taking tea &C there most frequent. I fancy they may have opportunity to encounter one another quite respectable.

Sir Charles chuckled. That does fall out very convenient!

Does it not? said Clorinda with an air of entire innocence.

At this moment came bustling out of the house Mrs Fossitt, crying Sir Charles! My Lady!

Mrs Fossitt! What is ado?

She gave a little gasp and said, was just purposing look through the linen cupboard and see was any mending needed, and Selina has gone had kittens there.

Kittens? cried Hester. Why, you were entire right, Clorinda, that she went increase.

Five! added Mrs Fossitt. What shall we do?

Why, said Sir Charles, I apprehend ‘tis greatly deleterious to disturb a cat that has just borne kittens, so I fear you must leave her there for the moment, and not have too much going and looking in upon her. And provide her with sustenance – a saucer of milk, mayhap some minced beef?– to keep her strength up.

I suppose, said Clorinda, that one does not give cats stout as one does wet-nurses.

O, said Hester, my naughty wanton Selina! as Mrs Fossitt went bustling away to undertake Sir Charles’s orders. My dear, might I some time go take a peep at her?

Sure I can carry you upstairs, ‘tis no trouble.

So they went back into the house, and dear Charles lifted her out of the chair, and she put her arms about his neck as he carried her upstairs, followed by Clorinda, and along the landing and the corridor to the linen cupboard. Clorinda opened the door a little way, and there was Selina, looking immense pleased with herself and purring considerable, with five tiny kittens attached to her.

Well! said Hester. Sure I never supposed that Selina would go have kittens, the saucy minx. But indeed, she went on, looking up at dear Charles, there is a very great deal has come about that I would never have supposed a year since. ‘Tis an entire miracle.

He looked down at her smiling.

Comments

[redbird]

I like the way the charities have gone from being a respectable activity for the otherwise-scandalous Madame Clorinda, to an again-plausible topic that will stop strangers from pressing the dowager Countess for gossip about other people. While being, in both cases, genuinely helpful to the objects of the charity; some of the philanthropic ladies may be in it mostly as an excuse for socializing together, but spectacles are provided, and convicts in New South Wales are in fact helped. Not like the sort of "philanthropy" that wastes all its funds on paying for the "fund-raising" activities, or a nice office and secretary for the philanthropist.

[rymenhild]

Hester deserves this happiness. Thank you for the tale!

[aedifica]

Yay kittens! And yes, this encapsulates what I've been enjoying so much about this serial:

But indeed, she went on, looking up at dear Charles, there is a very great deal has come about that I would never have supposed a year since. ‘Tis an entire miracle.

[kore]

But sure ‘twas amuzing to see how their neighbours goggled upon Clorinda, and how the gentlemen stammered. Doubtless all hoped to hear scandal but instead learnt a deal about the very fine works that the Reverend Mr Thorne and his good lady were doing among the convicts in New South Wales, and how one might improve the lot of the weak-sighted poor by providing ‘em with spectacles. And what charities did they have hereabouts?

HAH!

But indeed, she went on, looking up at dear Charles, there is a very great deal has come about that I would never have supposed a year since. ‘Tis an entire miracle.

....SOMETHING IN MY EYE. //dabs with fine hanky

[nenya_kanadka]

Kittens!

And I *did* think Sir Toby showed some inclination towards Miss Millick! Very nice.

❤