- W empik go
Diary of a Provincial Lady - ebook
Diary of a Provincial Lady - ebook
Behind this rather prim title lies the hilarious fictional diary of a disaster-prone lady of the 1930s, and her attempts to keep her somewhat ramshackle household from falling into chaos. Written with humour, this charming novel is full of the peculiarities of daily life. As witty and delightful today as when it was first published in 1930, „Diary of a Provincial Lady” is a brilliantly observed comic novel and an acknowledged classic.
Kategoria: | Romans |
Język: | Angielski |
Zabezpieczenie: |
Watermark
|
ISBN: | 978-83-8292-389-6 |
Rozmiar pliku: | 2,8 MB |
FRAGMENT KSIĄŻKI
_November 7th._–Plant the indoor bulbs. Just as I am in the middle of them, Lady Boxe calls. I say, untruthfully, how nice to see her, and beg her to sit down while I just finish the bulbs. Lady B. makes determined attempt to sit down in armchair where I have already placed two bulb-bowls and the bag of charcoal, is headed off just in time, and takes the sofa.
Do I know, she asks, how very late it is for indoor bulbs? September, really, or even October, is the time. Do I know that the only really reliable firm for hyacinths is Somebody of Haarlem? Cannot catch the name of the firm, which is Dutch, but reply Yes, I do know, but think it my duty to buy Empire products. Feel at the time, and still think, that this is an excellent reply. Unfortunately Vicky comes into the drawing-room later and says: “O Mummie, are those the bulbs we got at Woolworths?”
Lady B. stays to tea. (_Mem_.: Bread-and-butter too thick. Speak to Ethel.) We talk some more about bulbs, the Dutch School of Painting, our Vicar’s wife, sciatica, and _All Quiet on the Western Front_.
(Query: Is it possible to cultivate the art of conversation when living in the country all the year round?)
Lady B. enquires after the children. Tell her that Robin–whom I refer to in a detached way as “the boy” so that she shan’t think I am foolish about him–is getting on fairly well at school, and that Mademoiselle says Vicky is starting a cold.
Do I realise, says Lady B., that the Cold Habit is entirely unnecessary, and can be avoided by giving the child a nasal douche of salt-and-water every morning before breakfast? Think of several rather tart and witty rejoinders to this, but unfortunately not until Lady B.'s Bentley has taken her away.
Finish the bulbs and put them in the cellar. Feel that after all cellar is probably draughty, change my mind, and take them all up to the attic.
Cook says something is wrong with the range.
This is a free sample. Please purchase full version of the book to continue.