Читать книгу The Artist's Impression - Julia Schulz - Страница 4

As Georgina returned to the sitting room from the kitchen, wheeling a steel tea tray consisting of a pot of tea served in a Royal Albert Fine Bone China teapot, with a very pretty pink and blue floral pattern, some jam, cream and scones; Mrs Bannister is contemplating that which she is about to propose to Georgina. As she pours herself a cup of tea and helps herself to a scone with a generous dollop of jam and cream, she begins, “I have come here in fact to speak my mind once and for all, Georgina. Your pottering about by yourself in this Victorian Mansion is not healthy, will not do, and, must come to an end. You are a very attractive woman, although no longer young in years, you still have some redeeming qualities. Lord knows why your Aunt Jemima could not see her way clear to ensure that you find your way to some companionship. However, I see it now as my responsibility as a charitable citizen of this neighborhood and great friend of your Aunt’s to see to it that you come out into society. As the saying goes, charity begins at home, and it is my intention for you to come out of hiding and join the real world, as it were.” Georgina, trying to absorb all that Mrs Bannister has said, and finding the conversation rather audacious, eyes her with raised eyebrows in wonder and amazement over the brim of her tea cup. Sensing that Mrs Bannister has more to add, she is hesitant of contributing to the conversation at this point, for fear that she may inspire her to an even greater level of audaciousness. And, picking up on the energy in the room, she was fearful of receiving a barrage of criticism should she find the confidence to speak her own mind on the matter; in which she is of the solid opinion, and always has been, that to offer advice to one is not only superfluous, in her experience, but also can be quite dangerous. Firstly, because it is human nature, as she has discovered following the path of her favorite characters in novels, for advice to fall on deaf ears, and generally, people continue to reside with familiar patterns of operation. And secondly, even if one is successful in bringing about change to other’s lives, well, in this circumstance, the consequences of releasing a creature from pre-conditioned solitude can have disastrous consequences. Such as the potential for moral denigration should the company one finds to be vastly different from the qualities of one’s own soul. Loneliness, when turned to the outer world for solution, often brings one to the consequence of rash decision. No, Georgina preferred independent philosophical contemplation and reading novels as a cure for loneliness from the comfort of her own armchair, without the distraction and potentially perilous input which can arise from the attachment to strangers, as it were. “Now, I have a man in mind, who I think will suit you down to the ground, Georgina. His name is Philip Morris, of good family stock and is with the University completing his social research project to contribute to his Doctorate. Prior to entering academia, he was an entrepreneur in the liquor trade; operating as a very successful Whiskey merchant, has turned a great profit, and since being with the University he has staffed the business so he need only draw from the capital. It is my understanding that he has an obsession for Swedish culture, and the nature of the project surrounds the effects of solitude on Swedish citizens. I am sure, if nothing else, that he will be fascinated by your independent nature. And, you may act as a muse for his research.” She adds this with a tone of sarcasm, as Georgina recalls Mrs Bannister's tendencies to live her life for her husband’s academic advancement. “He is slightly older than you; by six years, although that hardly matters in the scheme of things. Besides, he is prudent, discerning, both academically and business minded, and I am certain of a complementary match. You need someone like him Georgina, to keep your feet planted on the ground. Daydreaming your life away is a complete waste of your time; and I wouldn’t be surprised if your fanciful imagination lands you in some severely hot water, sooner or later, in some form or other. I have offered him your telephone number and he has promised to ring you in the near future.” Georgina casted her mind back to her previous reflections in which she deduced that such events contribute to one’s milestones in life, and languidly accepted whatever fate may have in store for her concerning this man. If he is University educated, all the better, as there is a high chance of him having a beautiful mind. She could not and would not accept him if his only passion and interest in life was Whiskey. Despite the fact that she was well aware that these types of connoisseurs belonged to the leisure classes, i.e. middle and upper, and were high flyers, she couldn't help but look down on people whose only joy in life was alcohol and the procurement of it. Those who were once perhaps well educated in other areas besides, but have forsaken it all to fall into the alluring though dangerous, bottomless pit of luxury, and now it is all about the Whiskey. “The only thing that casts doubt in my mind in regards to the situation is the fact that you are not presently occupied with anything meaningful, and this may act as a deterrent for an ambitious and stable man, such as Philip.” “Well, Mrs Bannister I had not the chance to tell you that I have secured some work with Balzac’s Bookshop, and will commence my duties with them tomorrow morning.” “Well, my dear, this is a turn up for the books, if you will excuse the pun, and I am glad to see that you are finally taking your destiny in your own hands. I won’t hold you up any longer, as I am sure that you have some organizing to do before tomorrow. Listen out for the telephone, and do let me know how you get on, and good luck for your new job. No need to see me out, I will show myself to the door. Goodbye Georgina.”