Kate: Trials of a Victorian Shop Girl - Part I
Gossip Column #4
"Kate, darling, hadn't you better start getting ready?"
Kate glanced up from the writing desk at which she sat, writing a letter to a friend from home. She studied her sister, who had just entered the room. For a moment, her sister's words didn't register as she gazed at the dress her sister was wearing.
"Oh Rose, you look fantastic! Kate exclaimed. "I didn't realize your new dress was ready!"
"Kate, darling, hadn't you better start getting ready?"
Kate glanced up from the writing desk at which she sat, writing a letter to a friend from home. She studied her sister, who had just entered the room. For a moment, her sister's words didn't register as she gazed at the dress her sister was wearing.
"Oh Rose, you look fantastic! Kate exclaimed. "I didn't realize your new dress was ready!"
Rose smiled and turned in a slow circle, showing off the garment. The dress was made from a light blue silk and trimmed with white lace. The blue set off to perfection Rose's flawless, pink and white complexion, while layers of petticoats and crinolines caused the skirt to billowout, giving her the hourglass figure women so actively sought.
"Those colors remind me of the sky on a perfect spring day! Now, do say you'll wear that bonnet we purchased at Beth's last week. The one with the white roses and ostrich feathers!"
Rose's smile widened into a grin at her sister's enthusiasm.
"That's why I bought the bonnet silly! I intended it to go with this dress. Now, enough about me. You must hurry up and get changed. Why don't you on that beautiful pale green tea gown that Maude gave you yesterday? The one she said Sarah no longer wears. You can borrow one of my hats, and I'll ring for Diana to come and do your hair."
Kate glanced down at her outfit. She had on a white button down shirt with a high collar, and long sleeves that ballooned fashionably from the shoulder to the elbow, then tapered down into a more fitted design. She had paired this with a floor length, navy blue calico skirt, underneath which she wore a single petticoat.
Kate found these types of outfits, newly come into fashion, to be quite comfortable. Certainly more so than the wide gowns, created by wearing layers of petticoats and crinolines, favored by her sister and her friends. She opened her mouth to tell her sister her thoughts, when Rose cut her off.
"Come now, Rose continued, "we must leave soon or we'll be late for tea with Mrs. Paneer. And promised her we would discuss the possibility of becoming involved with her charity. She lately become an avid supporter of The Metropolitan Association for Improving the Dwellings of the Industrious Classes, and I thought we might wish to help her plan a fundraiser. Now, go on upstairs like a good girl and I'll send Diana to you."
Rose turned to leave and then hesitated, as a thought occurred to her.
"Oh and Kate," Rose said slowly, picking her words with care. "Would you please not be so gauche as to mention to Mrs. Paneer that you're preparing to start work as a shop girl at Beth's Fine Millinery? It would mean a lot to me. It's not that there's anything wrong with you being one of course, it's just that Mrs. Paneer wouldn't understand."
Kate felt her face grow hot as the blood rushed to her cheecks and stained her neck and chest. She was consumed by anger but her voice, when she spoke was calm.
"If," said Kate quietly, "I should be so, how did you phrase it? 'Gauche?' as to quite accidentally and in the spirit of friendly conversation, mention that I had accepted a position of shop girl at quite the most fashionable millinery shop around. would that mean I would no longer be forced to accompany you on these ridiculous outings?" With that, Kate rose from her chair and stormed from the room.
"That's why I bought the bonnet silly! I intended it to go with this dress. Now, enough about me. You must hurry up and get changed. Why don't you on that beautiful pale green tea gown that Maude gave you yesterday? The one she said Sarah no longer wears. You can borrow one of my hats, and I'll ring for Diana to come and do your hair."
Kate glanced down at her outfit. She had on a white button down shirt with a high collar, and long sleeves that ballooned fashionably from the shoulder to the elbow, then tapered down into a more fitted design. She had paired this with a floor length, navy blue calico skirt, underneath which she wore a single petticoat.
Kate found these types of outfits, newly come into fashion, to be quite comfortable. Certainly more so than the wide gowns, created by wearing layers of petticoats and crinolines, favored by her sister and her friends. She opened her mouth to tell her sister her thoughts, when Rose cut her off.
"Come now, Rose continued, "we must leave soon or we'll be late for tea with Mrs. Paneer. And promised her we would discuss the possibility of becoming involved with her charity. She lately become an avid supporter of The Metropolitan Association for Improving the Dwellings of the Industrious Classes, and I thought we might wish to help her plan a fundraiser. Now, go on upstairs like a good girl and I'll send Diana to you."
Rose turned to leave and then hesitated, as a thought occurred to her.
"Oh and Kate," Rose said slowly, picking her words with care. "Would you please not be so gauche as to mention to Mrs. Paneer that you're preparing to start work as a shop girl at Beth's Fine Millinery? It would mean a lot to me. It's not that there's anything wrong with you being one of course, it's just that Mrs. Paneer wouldn't understand."
Kate felt her face grow hot as the blood rushed to her cheecks and stained her neck and chest. She was consumed by anger but her voice, when she spoke was calm.
"If," said Kate quietly, "I should be so, how did you phrase it? 'Gauche?' as to quite accidentally and in the spirit of friendly conversation, mention that I had accepted a position of shop girl at quite the most fashionable millinery shop around. would that mean I would no longer be forced to accompany you on these ridiculous outings?" With that, Kate rose from her chair and stormed from the room.
Want to keep on top of the latest gossip? You can have the "Discovery Lane Gossip Column" delivered straight to your inbox! Just click the "subscribe" button at the top of the page, enter your email address and follow the instructions. After you opt-in, you will receive an email from Feedburner confirming your request. You must click the link in that email in order to keep on top of all the Discovery Lane happenings. Enjoy!
Comments
Post a Comment