have the colours to be matched.”
Pippa groaned.
“Not now,” said her mother, to her relief. “Ladies do not frequent Cranbourne Alley so late in the day, and after we inspect our purchases this evening we shall have a better idea of what we need. As much as possible we must make one bonnet do for several gowns.”
“I like trimming hats,” said Kitty. “One or two plain bonnets and a variety of trimmings will be plenty.”
“But consider, my love, when you change your dress you will not have time to be altering the trimmings of your bonnets.”
They continued to discuss hats, while Pippa’s mind drifted. Why did ladies only frequent Cranbourne Alley in the morning? Since Mama gave no reason, it was probably not a proper subject for young ladies. Unmarried young ladies, at least. Bina might know. Why were unmarried young ladies supposed to be kept in ignorance of so much that was going on in the world? Surely the more they knew the better they could deal with life.
If women were properly educated, they would want to run their own lives. Men would have to give up their authority—which was the answer to her question. They set the rules, and in their determination to keep hold of the reins, they dictated what respectable young ladies should or should not know.
Hence the need to keep the identity of Prometheus secret. However much men admired “his” articles, if they discovered a woman wrote them they would somehow convince themselves they were unworthy of serious consideration.
If Lord Selworth found out, he might believe himself justified in reneging on his agreement with Prometheus. The secret must be kept, or Kitty’s Season would be ruined.
“It is a great pity styles have become so elaborate,” Mrs Lisle bemoaned. “Silks are more expensive than muslins, to start with. Then the wider skirts take more material, and there is endless trimming to be done.”
A trifle enviously, Kitty asked, “Have you seen Millie’s Presentation gown, Mama? The train alone uses yards and yards of lace, and the bodice is embroidered with seed pearls. And hoops are still de rigueur at Court, just like in the old days, so the skirt is enormous, and the petticoat also.” She giggled. “I should feel such a figure of fun wearing hoops!”
“I am glad, dearest, because I cannot manage such an expense, though if it were possible I daresay Mrs Debenham would be kind enough to present you.”
“In any case,” Pippa flared up, “it would go against all Papa’s principles to make obeisance to the monarchy.”
“In any case,” Kitty pointed out pacifically, “the poor Queen is not well and Millie’s Court dress may very well go to waste!”
“In any case,” said Mrs Lisle, “we shall be hard pressed to make all the gowns we really need. I hope you will have time to help with the sewing, Pippa.”
Pippa groaned again. “Pray do not expect me cut out, Mama. You know I am terrified of making expensive mistakes. Give me the simplest seams and hems, and I shall contrive to do my part.”
“We shall see. I do not wish you to tire your eyes with stitchery if you have a great deal of reading and writing to do.”
“Think how tired the eyes of seamstresses must get.”
“And they have not even the pleasure of sewing for themselves,” Kitty agreed.
“They are paid for their labour,” Mrs Lisle said, “when many would be glad of any work.”
“How lucky I am,” cried Kitty, “not to have to work for my living, thanks to my dear family.”
“And how lucky I am,” said Pippa, “to be paid to do what I should very likely choose to do even without pay! It is a pity, though, that Mr Cobbett has gone abroad. We shall have less money than you expected, Mama, and I have less excuse to avoid sewing.”
The landau turned into Charles Street, passed the Running Footman public house at the corner of Hay’s Mews, and stopped in front of the Debenhams’ house. A boy
Pippa groaned.
“Not now,” said her mother, to her relief. “Ladies do not frequent Cranbourne Alley so late in the day, and after we inspect our purchases this evening we shall have a better idea of what we need. As much as possible we must make one bonnet do for several gowns.”
“I like trimming hats,” said Kitty. “One or two plain bonnets and a variety of trimmings will be plenty.”
“But consider, my love, when you change your dress you will not have time to be altering the trimmings of your bonnets.”
They continued to discuss hats, while Pippa’s mind drifted. Why did ladies only frequent Cranbourne Alley in the morning? Since Mama gave no reason, it was probably not a proper subject for young ladies. Unmarried young ladies, at least. Bina might know. Why were unmarried young ladies supposed to be kept in ignorance of so much that was going on in the world? Surely the more they knew the better they could deal with life.
If women were properly educated, they would want to run their own lives. Men would have to give up their authority—which was the answer to her question. They set the rules, and in their determination to keep hold of the reins, they dictated what respectable young ladies should or should not know.
Hence the need to keep the identity of Prometheus secret. However much men admired “his” articles, if they discovered a woman wrote them they would somehow convince themselves they were unworthy of serious consideration.
If Lord Selworth found out, he might believe himself justified in reneging on his agreement with Prometheus. The secret must be kept, or Kitty’s Season would be ruined.
“It is a great pity styles have become so elaborate,” Mrs Lisle bemoaned. “Silks are more expensive than muslins, to start with. Then the wider skirts take more material, and there is endless trimming to be done.”
A trifle enviously, Kitty asked, “Have you seen Millie’s Presentation gown, Mama? The train alone uses yards and yards of lace, and the bodice is embroidered with seed pearls. And hoops are still de rigueur at Court, just like in the old days, so the skirt is enormous, and the petticoat also.” She giggled. “I should feel such a figure of fun wearing hoops!”
“I am glad, dearest, because I cannot manage such an expense, though if it were possible I daresay Mrs Debenham would be kind enough to present you.”
“In any case,” Pippa flared up, “it would go against all Papa’s principles to make obeisance to the monarchy.”
“In any case,” Kitty pointed out pacifically, “the poor Queen is not well and Millie’s Court dress may very well go to waste!”
“In any case,” said Mrs Lisle, “we shall be hard pressed to make all the gowns we really need. I hope you will have time to help with the sewing, Pippa.”
Pippa groaned again. “Pray do not expect me cut out, Mama. You know I am terrified of making expensive mistakes. Give me the simplest seams and hems, and I shall contrive to do my part.”
“We shall see. I do not wish you to tire your eyes with stitchery if you have a great deal of reading and writing to do.”
“Think how tired the eyes of seamstresses must get.”
“And they have not even the pleasure of sewing for themselves,” Kitty agreed.
“They are paid for their labour,” Mrs Lisle said, “when many would be glad of any work.”
“How lucky I am,” cried Kitty, “not to have to work for my living, thanks to my dear family.”
“And how lucky I am,” said Pippa, “to be paid to do what I should very likely choose to do even without pay! It is a pity, though, that Mr Cobbett has gone abroad. We shall have less money than you expected, Mama, and I have less excuse to avoid sewing.”
The landau turned into Charles Street, passed the Running Footman public house at the corner of Hay’s Mews, and stopped in front of the Debenhams’ house. A boy
Similar Books
