Five country-women of our own--it was easy to know them by their dress and general aspect--were standing in the middle of the room;and one of them, the centre of the group, the senior harpy of the lot, a maiden lady--I could have sworn to that--with a red nose, held in one hand a huge pair of scissors, and in the other--the already devoted goods of my most unfortunate companion! Down from the waistband, through that goodly expanse, a fell gash had already gone through and through; and in useless, unbecoming disorder the broadcloth fell pendant from her arm on this side and on that.At that moment I confess that I had not the courage to speak to Mr.
Horne,--not even to look at him.
I must describe that group.Of the figure next to me I could only see the back.It was a broad back done up in black silk not of the newest.The whole figure, one may say, was dumpy.The black silk was not long, as dresses now are worn, nor wide in its skirts.In every way it was skimpy, considering the breadth it had to cover;and below the silk I saw the heels of two thick shoes, and enough to swear by of two woollen stockings.Above the silk was a red and blue shawl; and above that a ponderous, elaborate brown bonnet, as to the materials of which I should not wish to undergo an examination.Over and beyond this I could only see the backs of her two hands.They were held up as though in wonder at that which the red-nosed holder of the scissors had dared to do.
Opposite to this lady, and with her face fully tamed to me, was a kindly-looking, fat motherly woman, with light-coloured hair, not in the best order.She was hot and scarlet with exercise, being perhaps too stout for the steep steps of the fortress; and in one hand she held a handkerchief, with which from time to time she wiped her brow.In the other hand she held one of the extremities of my friend's property, feeling--good, careful soul!--what was the texture of the cloth.As she did so, I could see a glance of approbation pass across her warm features.I liked that lady's face, in spite of her untidy hair, and felt that had she been alone my friend would not have been injured.
On either side of her there stood a flaxen-haired maiden, with long curls, large blue eyes, fresh red cheeks, an undefined lumpy nose, and large good-humoured mouth.They were as like as two peas, only that one was half an inch taller than the other; and there was no difficulty in discovering, at a moment's glance, that they were the children of that over-heated matron who was feeling the web of my friend's cloth.
But the principal figure was she who held the centre place in the group.She was tall and thin, with fierce-looking eyes, rendered more fierce by the spectacles which she wore; with a red nose as Isaid before; and about her an undescribable something which quite convinced me that she had never known--could never know--aught of the comforts of married life.It was she who held the scissors and the black garments.It was she who had given that unkind cut.As Ilooked at her she whisked herself quickly round from one companion to the other, triumphing in what she had done, and ready to triumph further in what she was about to do.I immediately conceived a deep hatred for that Queen of the Harpies.
"Well, I suppose they can't be wanted again," said the mother, rubbing her forehead.
"Oh dear no!" said she of the red nose."They are relics!" Ithought to leap forth; but for what purpose should I have leaped?
The accursed scissors had already done their work; and the symmetry, nay, even the utility of the vestment was destroyed.
"General Chasse wore a very good article;--I will say that for him,"continued the mother.
"Of course he did!" said the Queen Harpy."Why should he not, seeing that the country paid for it for him? Well, ladies, who's for having a bit?""Oh my! you won't go for to cut them up," said the stout back.
"Won't I," said the scissors; and she immediately made another incision."Who's for having a bit? Don't all speak at once.""I should like a morsel for a pincushion," said flaxen-haired Miss No.1, a young lady about nineteen, actuated by a general affection for all sword-bearing, fire-eating heroes."I should like to have something to make me think of the poor general!"Snip, snip went the scissors with professional rapidity, and a round piece was extracted from the back of the calf of the left leg.Ishuddered with horror; and so did the Rev.Augustus Horne with cold.
"I hardly think it's proper to cut them up," said Miss No.2.
"Oh isn't it?" said the harpy."Then I'll do what's improper!" And she got her finger and thumb well through the holes in the scissors'
handles.As she spoke resolution was plainly marked on her brow.
"Well, if they are to be cut up, I should certainly like a bit for a pen-wiper," said No.2.No.2 was a literary young lady with a periodical correspondence, a journal, and an album.Snip, snip went the scissors again, and the broad part of the upper right division afforded ample materials for a pen-wiper.
Then the lady with the back, seeing that the desecration of the article had been completed, plucked up heart of courage and put in her little request; "I think I might have a needle-case out of it,"said she, "just as a suvneer of the poor general"--and a long fragment cut rapidly out of the waistband afforded her unqualified delight.
Mamma, with the hot face and untidy hair, came next."Well, girls,"she said, "as you are all served, I don't see why I'm to be left out.Perhaps, Miss Grogram"--she was an old maid, you see--"perhaps, Miss Grogram, you could get me as much as would make a decent-sized reticule."There was not the slightest difficulty in doing this.The harpy in the centre again went to work, snip, snip, and extracting from that portion of the affairs which usually sustained the greater portion of Mr.Horne's weight two large round pieces of cloth, presented them to the well-pleased matron."The general knew well where to get a bit of good broadcloth, certainly," said she, again feeling the pieces.