The Year of 1901 (Chapter 4)

 

Chapter 4

It is Teatime

“Mrs. Pearson,” said Mrs. Billing after setting her teacup on her saucer. “You did not tell us your son was back in town after being gone so long to college.”

“Good heaven’s women,” replied Mrs. Pearson rather rudely in response to Mrs. Billing's conversation starter. “How could I tell you when he just got back yesterday evening.” Mrs. Pearson then took a sip (more like slurp) of her tea. Mrs. Billings just sighed at the rude behavior and sipped her tea once more.

“How did you know Andrew was back?” was Mrs. Pearson's question with a startle. She had just realized that no one knew Andrew was back in town yet.

“We ran into him on our way over here,” answered Mrs. Billings. Es almost spit her tea out by her mothers’ comment. She knew her mother had not meant anything by, “ran into.” “We were talking about having you all over for dinner some time.” Mrs. Pearson set her teacup down on the short table that was beside her chair. “You know I can’t remember the last time we had you to dinner.” She then paused and twitched her head to the right. “I think it is long overdue.”

“Well, we are awfully busy,” said the fat woman as she grabbed her plate of tarts and took a large bite of the biggest one. Mrs. Billing knew what it would take to get Mrs. Pearson to say yes to the idea.

“And,” said Mrs. Billings as if she had not heard Mrs. Pearson's comment. “Tim might be able to make it.” Mrs. Billing truly did not know if her college son would be able to make it, but she knew that Mrs. Pearson would jump at the idea. Here sat in the Crawford parlor two women, one who wanted her daughter to get better acquainted with the young man she had liked for so long. Mrs. Pearson on the other hand wanting her daughter to get hooked up with the son of a millionaire who was almost as popular as her own son among young females. Now reader you must understand, Mrs. Billings was not the kind of woman to try to get her daughters hooked up with every rich and good-looking young man in the country. She was not a prying woman. She just knew that her daughter had once liked the young Pearson boy and was trying to help the relationship on a bit. The way she tried to help her daughter along was probably not the best, but it had been a while since she had been a young girl with her eye on a young man. It seemed that it had just been too long, and she had simply forgotten how it would be embarrassing for a young girl to have the mother trying to help her love life along. Mrs. Pearson swallowed her tart and then began to speak.

“I will have to ask Mr. Pearson about the idea but we would be delighted to come.” She spoke for her and her daughter who sat on a chair nearby. When Mrs. Pearson said she would ask Mr. Pearson, her round husband, this was a lie. For Mrs. Pearson ruled the Pearson house. This is one reason why the Billings and Pearson’s did not get along. Mr. Billing, who is yet to come into our story, did not like the idea of women ruling the home. He could not stand faint-hearted men who would let their wives tell what to do and not do.

The conversation continued for a while. Gertrude sat in her chair; her nose stuck up in the air while she sipped her tea. Her blond hair was in tight curls and a string of large pearls hung around her white neck. She wore an overly puffy blue dress with exaggerated sleeves. Kitty thought she looked exactly like a clown. Kitty was a girl with a simplified fashion.

Now mind reader that she did dress up and still carried herself like a lady, but she was much more practical in what she wore than Gertrude Pearson. She did not like exaggerated sleeves because she knew it made it more difficult to walk through doors and into closed in carriages. She did not like big pearls that hung around her neck and became an annoyance. All the Billings girls were quickly getting tired of the boring conversation along with Mrs. Billings who had not said a word now for two minutes. Mrs. Pearson would not stop talking and every time she did talk, she had to take a very deep breath. It was evident that her corset was put a little too tight on the large women.

“I think Mrs. Pearson corset is too tight,” whispered Kitty as she barely leaned forward to Priscilla.

“My thoughts exactly,” said Priscilla turning her head slightly back for both girls sat on a sofa with the mother. The girls smiled at each other.

The conversation was heard by no one, but the three Billing girls. For Es sat in a wooden chair to the right of the sofa while Mrs. Pearson and Gertrude sat to the left.  Esther smiled to herself at Kitty’s comment. She then glanced around the room where Mrs. Crawford sat. Es noticed Laura Crawford sitting next to her mother, who was in a conversation with Mrs. Jennings. Mrs. Jennings was a younger woman who was evidently with child. Hannah Jennings, her daughter, sat silently next to her mother. Sarah was but 11 and seemed rather bored for there were no young girls her age at present. Esther looked over at Laura Crawford and she looked back. Laura smiled at Esther indicating the humorous situation of Mrs. Pearson’s conversation. Es smiled and then took a small bite of a tart. Both girls had been good friends for as long as they could remember. For as I mentioned earlier, the Crawford’s and Billings got along well together. This was mainly because Mrs. Billing and Mrs. Crawford hit it off. Just then little Hannah Jennings stood up walked over to Esther.

“Is Eveline not here?” questioned polite little Sarah.

“I’m afraid she has a cold. She is feeling better but still tired,” said Esther, feeling sorry for the little girl who had no one to talk to. Hannah looked down at her shoes in disappointment.

“We will tell her you missed her,” added Kitty sweetly. Es then stood up and walked over to Laura. Laura sat on a sofa with her mother, so Es sat on the left end next to Laura.

“Hi,” whispered Laura with a smile. “I was about to walk over to you. This tea is terribly small. It seems that everyone is out of town right now.”

“Yes,” replied Es. “I am actually a bit bored.”

“You’re not the only one. I do believe Mrs. Pearson is pushing the limit of how fast you can talk with a tight corset.” Both girls smiled to keep themselves from laughing. “Would you like to go up to my room?” continued Laura when she had stopped laughing.

“I was just waiting for you to ask,” replied Es with a bit of a laugh but still in a whisper. Both girls promptly stood up just like ladies. Laura quickly set her teacup on the table, which sat in the right corner, before joining Esther again. Esther noticed small Sarah sitting next to her mother again and still looking unhappy. Mrs. Crawford and Mrs. Jennings still sat talking as they had been.

“Hannah, would you like to come upstairs with us?” asked Esther when Mrs. Crawford and Mrs. Jennings had a pause in their conversation. Sarah quickly turned to her mother.

“May I?” she pleaded.

“Yes, you may go,” was Mrs. Jennings's reply before continuing her conversation with Mrs. Crawford.

………..

“When does Jane get back from Europe?” asked Esther as she walked over to Laura’s bedroom window.

“Next week,” replied Laura as she started over to the window. Sarah Jennings just walked around the room looking

“Has she written lately?”

“Yes, she has. We received a letter on Monday." For today was Tuesday. "Would you like to read it?”

“Yes, please!” answered Es. Laura quickly glided over to her desk that was pushed against the right wall. She pulled the thin, brown drawer open and picked up a large, folded letter from the top.

“She went with your grandmother?” asked Es as she received the letter from Laura’s white hand.

“Yes, our cousin Margret accompanied them as well,” said Laura. Esther opened the letter and began to glace over it. She did not intend on reading the entire thing for it was long and a bit boring. “Margret is 21 and courting.” Added Laura. “Jane said that she writes him every day.” Esther started to laugh. “Look down here said Laura as she pointed and some words at the end of the letter and then began to read. “I do not know how I shall stand to be with Margret another day for all she talks of is George Blakely. She writes him every day and I must say the letters are long.  At least 3 pages. Sheets and sheets.”

“Oh my!” said Es this a giggle. “I cannot imagine how she comes up with three pages of decent words every day.”

“Neither do I.” Both girls laughed very heartily. Es quickly scanned the letter for another second before folding it. “I think Pricilla would like to read this. Can I take it to her?”

“Oh yes of course.” Esther quickly went out of the room and down the stairs to find her oldest sister.

Mrs. Pearson was still talking wildly but now she was speaking to Mrs. Jennings who seemed to be bearing it well. Mrs. Jennings was always a woman of fine character. She always smiled and spoke in the calmest voice.  It seemed that in the time Esther was upstairs, her mother and Mrs. Jennings had switched places. For Mrs. Billing was now in a lively conversation with Mrs. Crawford and seemed to be enjoying it much more than the conversation she had been having with Mrs. Pearson. Esther speedily made her way to her sisters who were no longer sipping their tea but just sitting and whispering to one another.

“Would you like to read the letter from Jane?” asked Esther to Priscilla.

“Oh yes!” replied Priscilla happily as she took the letter that Es held out. “When did it come?” She started to unfold the letter.

“Monday.” Kitty looked over Priscillas shoulder as she started to read it quietly out loud.

……….

“I know it is here somewhere,” said Laura as Esther walked back into the room. Laura was looking for her old doll. She had asked Hannah if she would like to play with it without knowing exactly where it was.

“If you can’t find it, it is alright,” replied Hannah politely.

“Here it is,” shouted Laura as she pulled an old doll from her closet. The doll's dress was wrinkled, and her curls frizzed. This was because she had not been played within a long time. For Laura did not have any younger sister. Only two brothers who were 9 and 10. Hannah took it happily not minding the doll's state.

For the rest of the time, Esther and Laura talked and laughed. They talked of how Andrew Pearson was back in town and how girls used to flirt with him. They talked of horseback riding and how Laura needed to over and ride. For the Crawford did not have horses or land as the Billing's did. Soon though it was time to leave and Kitty had come up to tell them so. Hannah Jennings had already gone down a few minutes ago.

“It is time to leave, Es,” said Kitty after opening the bedroom door. The girls quickly walked down the stairs and to the front door. Mrs. Billing was putting her hat on while Mrs. Pearson talking.

“I shall talk to Mr. Pearson about the dinner invitation,” said Mrs. Pearson as she put her gloves on. “I shall have our housekeeper call and tell you if we shall be able to make it.” Charlie, the Crawford’s butler, held the door open for Mrs. Pearson and Gertrude.

“Thank you, Mrs. Pearson,” replied Mrs. Billing. “We look forward to having you.” Mrs. Pearson started to walk towards the door before turning around again.

“Oh, will there be anyone to answer the phone?” asked the fat women rudely.

“No matter what you have heard we do keep some servants,” replied Mrs. Billings sharply. As this was said the Billing girls were putting on all their accessories.

“Indeed.” Mrs. Pearson then started out the door, following her daughter. Andrew held the door open for his mother and sister. Gertrude turned sideways to get through the carriage door for her puffed sleeves would not allow her to get in normally. Kitty saw this and laughed quietly to herself. It truly was funny. Everyone followed the Pearson's out the front door in order to say goodbye.

“Good day Mrs. Crawford, Good day Mrs. Billing,” said Mrs. Pearson as she entered her carriage.

“Good Day Mrs. Pearson,” replied Mrs. Crawford politely. Andrew Pearson nodded to the ladies before stepping into the carriage and shutting the door.

“Giddy up,” shouted their driver as he started off.

The Year of 1901 (Chapter 3)

Here is chapter 3! 😀

Chapter 3

The Angry Driver

“Why are you driving miss?” he yelled still very vexed with his eyebrow knitted. Es now had no idea what to say in reply. “This is exactly why women shouldn’t be out on the streets driving. You nearly road be off the road!” His voice was very loud, and he shouted at Es. She was opening her mouth about to reply when the door to the carriage which the angry driver had been driving, opened, and a younger gentleman stepped out.

“Lewis,” said the young man who was wearing a long coat and grey top hat. “What in heaven's name is going on?” 

“I’m sorry sir,” said the driver who looked older than the young passenger. “This young girl nearly road me off the road.” He nodded his head toward Es as he said this. His manners were truly quite rude. Es did not like being called “This young girl” for she had just turned 16 last month. The young passenger was about to say something when Mrs. Billing came out of hiding. 

“Why Andrew Pearson!” she said with a shout. 

“Mrs. Billing!” He walked up to the carriage and took off his hat with his gloved hand. Mrs. Billing reached her hand out of the carriage and he took it in his own.

“What are you doing in town? I thought you were off to college?” She said gleaming. 

“I was mam!” He said as he let go of her hand and showed his pearly teeth with a wide grin. “I got back yesterday.”

“No!” She said as she gripped the side of the carriage with both of her gloved hands.

“Yes, yes I did.”

"Well, we are so happy you are back in town. So much has happened since you left. Did you know that John and Abigale got married?"

"Yes, I did hear that. They have a baby now too?"

"Yes, she is still so tiny. We really have missed seeing you these that few years. You did visit once a few years ago. Didn't you?"

"Yes, I came for Christmas once but was not able to stay but a few days," was Andrew's polite reply.

“Well, you have got to come for dinner sometime soon!”

“Yes,” he laughed. “Definitely!” All three of the Billings girls were watching the conversation. And reader, you must know that John is the oldest Billing child. He recently married early last year and now has a daughter. Kitty and Esther still sat on the driver bench. Kitty had her left arm on the back of the seat while Es still held the reins in her hands.

Reader, we shall now take a break from the lively conversation between Mrs. Billings and young Andrew Pearson and talk a little about the 18-year-old girl that still sat in the carriage looking over her mother’s shoulder. Yes, Priscilla. As soon as the carriage door had opened Priscilla’s heart skipped a beat and for a few seconds, she did not breathe. There stood the boy (now a man) that she had very much liked for most of her teen years. He had been away at college for four long years in which Priscilla had told herself that she did not like him. After four years of not seeing him, she was certain that all thoughts of him were gone and out of her mind. It stayed that way till she saw him step out of the carriage. Ever thought rushed back improved. She had forgotten how very tall and handsome he was. He was even more handsome now at 22 than he was at 18 when he first left. His thick brown heir sat very gently combed on his head and his polished hat sat in his gloved hand. Andrew Pearson truly was a handsome man and known for it. He was not one to try and get attention from girls but believe me when I say they gave him plenty. Every girl in the town had liked him and swarmed him like buzzards. Most girls would make themselves look like fools flirting with him all the time. She though had never flirted with him in her life. Whether she had even spoken more than 10 words to him was debatable.

Now, reader, you might be wondering if he is at all related to Mrs. Pearson and her snobbish daughter that I mentioned earlier. He is indeed closely related to them. Very closely. In fact, he is the son of Mrs. Pearson and the brother of the snobbish daughter, who I might as well tell you now is named Gertrude. Andrew though was never like his little sister. Gertrude had been spoiled by his fat mother and his father had stayed out of it for the most part. Andrew though was always a kind boy. Ever since he was young, he had always been polite and watched his manners. This reader, may I mention, did not help with the girls’ swarm him like buzzards because he was too nice to be rude and make them leave him alone. But collage however had brought some wit into him and made him much firmer in his beliefs rather than shy and docile.  Now that I have muttered for a while, we shall return to the carriage incident and conversation between Mrs. Billings and Mr. Pearson at present.

“Can you make it on Friday evening?” Mrs. Billings asked in response to his “Definitely!”

“Friday?” He said as he thought for a second. “I’m not exactly sure what my mother has planned for me this week.  You know my mother and she most likely has a month of Sunday's planned for me. So, I don’t know if that would work… but I shall call and tell you in the next few days.”

“Oh, we’d love to have you, Mr. Pearson,” she said still smiling as big as ever. “And your family should come as well.” She said this without thinking much of it. The Billing family never really got along with the persons. They probably had not had the Pearson family over for dinner as long as they had known them. Now, reader, this was not because of Andrew at all. It was just that there were other certain people in their family that they did not seem to cope well with.

“I will tell them.” He smiled and nodded his head before standing in awkward silence for a few seconds. He then turned around to his driver trying to find some way to end the conversation in a less awkward manner. “Lewis,” he swung his gray hat in his hand as he spoke. “What seems to be the problem?” His driver still looked upset and even more angry that the situation had been ignored.

“As I said earlier sir, this young girl here nearly road me off the street.” He pointed at Es this time which was highly embarrassing for the poor girl. 

“Mr. Pearson,” said Mrs. Billings trying to ease the situation. “We do not have a driver at this time, and we were trying to make it to the Crawford’s for tea this afternoon.”

“Oh,” said Andrew with a laugh because he knew of the Billings' servant problem. After looking up at Mrs. Billing though he stopped himself. In a serious expression, he continued, “Well, as a matter of fact, I have just dropped Gertrude and my Mother at the Crawford's. I believe they were going to tea as well.” This brought great disappointment for Mrs. Billing because it showed that the Pearson's had beat them after all. 

“I shall mention the dinner invitation to Mrs. Pearson when I see her. I am afraid we are a bit late.” She indicated that they need to get going. Andrew did not catch this for a few seconds.

“Oh… yes of course.” He slowly rotated his feet on the pavement (he was a bit awkward around women.) “We must be going as well. I have to go and pick up my mother’s new hate for her from Mrs. Lukens’s shop.” And with that, he nodded and walked back to the carriage door.

Back when Priscilla was 14 and 15, she always thought he did not care for her. This was not entirely wrong. He did not return the liking she had for him, but he always did think she was an exceptionally beautiful little girl that was very polite.

Lewis (the driver) opened the door for Andrew. He glanced over at Esther showing his frustration as he reluctantly shut the door. Es did nothing but sit there not knowing what to do. The man then stepped up to the driver’s seat with his long-left leg lagging. Esther had not liked the way he had scowled at her, so she quickly turned her head forward and yelled “giddy up” before he was able to gather his reins.  Es’s opinion of the man was extremely low.  He was mean and proud she thought. Also, very unforgiving.  A motor vehicle had already started to go around them, so Es quickly merged into the traffic right behind it.

She did not have to go far, for the Crawford’s house was the second to the right on that street. She did a half-decent job pulling the carriage up beside the house. Carefully she directed the horses in front of another carriage. She tied the reins and jumped down off the carriage before picking up her dress and walked around to the front door. She Stepped quickly trying to get out of the street in which carriages and motor vehicles came down periodically. Kitty had already jumped down, off her side of the carriage and Mrs. Billings was already ringing the doorbell. Mrs. Billings was really in a hurry trying to not be any later. Priscilla though was a bit slower exiting her way of transportation than the rest of her family. For her mind was not at all where her body stood. Slowly she stepped out of the carriage. Her mind was still at the carriage incident with Andrew Pearson. She was playing over each line and action that he presented. If movies were invented back then, Priscilla might describe her brane as a projector with a piece of film being played repeatedly. Now, reader if you are a woman then you most likely understand this situation quite well. If you are not a woman then I am afraid you must continue in your confusion. For if I were to try to explain the ways of a women’s brain you, most likely, would enter a deeper state of confusion.

The Crawford door did start to open after only a few moments of waiting. Priscilla’s brain was awoken from its thoughts and she quickly shut the carriage door to join her mother and sisters.

“Mrs. Billings,” said the butler with a nod as he stepped back to let them in. The Billings were good friends with the Crawford’s, so it was usually for the servants to address them by name.

“Good afternoon Charlie,” she replied to the nearly bald, gray-haired man as she stepped through the doorway. “I do believe we are late.” With this said, the old butler turned around to the large clock behind him.

“Not by much mam. The Pearson were early this once.”

“Oh,” said Mrs. Billing with a chuckle as she patted Charlies’ shoulder. Es was about to follow her mother and sister in the house when she remembered the horses. Rapidly turned around nearly bumping into still partly dreaming Priscilla and walked down to the carriage that was parked behind theirs. She stood on her toes as she looked down the street for Mr. Waterford’s figure. Of course, Mr. Waterford was not expected to walk the pace of a carriage, but Es knew they had been delayed by the carriage incident.

“Looking for something miss?” asked the old driver who sat in the carriage’s driver seat. The older man had a white mustache on his top lip, and he wore a black hat on his white-haired head.

“I was just looking for our driver,” she said in reply. “Sir,” she had come up with an idea. “Do you mind watching our horses for a while? Our driver should be here momentarily.”

“I do not mind,” he said with a slight shake of his head.

“Thank you, sir.” She nodded toward the old man before picking up her long skirt and starting back to the door.

“Are you coming in miss?” asked the butler who had been waiting on her.

“Yes, I’m sorry.” She brought her white shoes over to the glossy floor.

“May I take your hat and coat?” Asked the man with absolutely no expression. Esther promptly took her hat and coat off. She handed the old gent her gloves as well.

 

🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

That's it! Tell me your thoughts.  

The Year of 1901 (chapter 2)

Here is chapter 2 of my new book. It's still in draft. I just reached 14,000 words yesterday and finished chapter 7!!!!!!!!!

Chapter 2

The Driverless Carriage

After waiting impatiently for a few minutes, Mrs. Billing saw Mrs. Waterford’s figure coming into view from the back door.  In this time Esther had managed to get her coat on, put her handbag on her wrist, and adjust her hat in the mirror. Her white gloves were still clutched in her right hand. The plump cook came racing from the back door still wearing her dirty, white apron and holding the wooden spoon. Before she could say a word, Mrs. Billings spoke up.

“Is the carriage ready?”

“Yes mam, Mr. Waterford just brought it to the front.” was the old cook’s reply.

“Finally,” said Mrs. Billing quickly, not letting the old women have any time to say another word. With not another second delay Mrs. Billing reached for the door and started outside.

The three girls quickly shadowed their mother’s long steps out the front door.

“Mam,” said the cook following Mrs. Billing and the girls outside.

“Not now,” replies Mrs. Billing to the women as she held her dress and walked down the many steps. “We are late and whatever you say to me can wait.”

“But mam…,” started the Mrs. Waterford. She was again interrupted. For right as she began to speak Mrs. Billing had looked up at the carriage.

“Where is Stevens?” said Mrs. Billing, startled at the image before her. When she looked up, she saw the same rich carriage that she had ridden in numerous times but the carriage itself was driverless.

“Mam…,” started the cook again.

“Where is he? Doesn’t he know we are late and are in a hurry?” The old cook finally got tired of being interrupted and ignored. She raised her voice to her mistress which was something she had only done but twice in the 23 years she had work as cook for the Billings. 

“Mam,” her voice was much stronger and louder now that she had her confidence. “If you would stop interrupting me then maybe you would hear what I have been trying to tell you the last 10 minutes.” Mrs. Billing, seeing that the old woman was upset and serious, took a deep breath before letting her arms fall to her side.

“All right tell me,” said Mrs. Billing in a tone that showed that she was still in charge yet submitting.

“Stevens quit earlier this morning,” was the truth that came out the cook’s mouth rather as a shock. 

“What?” Her mistress was obviously upset. “What... what… why… when? Why… why didn’t you tell me?”

‘’I tried to tell you mam, but you said if I spoke another word, you’d fire me.”

“But… but why didn’t you tell me this morning when he left?”

“I thought you knew mum,” was Mrs. Waterford’s simple reply. “Mr. Waterford told me this morning after breakfast. He said he left early.”

“Uhhhh,” that was all that Mrs. Billing could say in reply. Mrs. Billing did not say it in anger but in the sadness of desperation. The old mustached driver had been the longest driver to ever stay with the family. He had stayed a total of close to 3 months. Esther, who with her sisters had watched the whole conversation, quickly came up with a solution. 

“I can drive the carriage mamma!” were the words that slipped from her tongue before she was even able to consider the idea.

“What?” said Mrs. Billing who had been wallowing in the silence of sadness. 

“I can drive,” she said again as she took a step closer to her mother. “I’ve seen Mr. Stevens drive a thousand times,” this was an exaggeration of course but it was used to drive her point home, “and I’m a good rider. I know how to handle horses and….” Mrs. Billings was now shaking her head at her daughter’s idea. “Kitty could sit up with me. She’s an even better rider than I am.”

“No, absolutely not,” said Mrs. Billing in a surprisingly calm voice that showed that she half considered the idea.

“Oh please, it will be all right,” added Kitty who stepped up to her younger sisters’ side. There was a second of silence as Mrs. Billing tried to come up with another solution.

“Why can’t we just get Mr. Waterford to drive the carriage?” was Pricilla’s reasonable voice a few feet. Now that idea Mrs. Billing would go for.

“Of course! Why didn’t I think of that?” said Mrs. Billings with a glimmer of hope. “Mrs. Waterford, please go get your husband and tell him to come here immediately.” The cook started did not answer. She only obeyed by starting back up the steps to go find her husband.

“No wait,” shouted Esther to the cook and her mother. The cook stopped in the middle of the steps and turned around. May I mention reader that the old cook still appeared a bit funny here on the rich house steps?  Her dirty apron still attached to her bosom, spoon in one hand, and hair that looked positively wild. “That will take too long. We would be so late if we wait that long. And… and if we don’t leave now...” there was a site pause in her voice as she tried to think of something else to say. “…the Pearson’s will beat us.” Here, reader, is where the real changed happened. Neither of the other sentences moved her mother but the thought of being later than the old hag Mrs. Pearson and her snobbish daughter drove Mrs. Billing to the most acute option.

“You’re right, there is no time to lose,” said Mrs. Billing completely convinced from what her daughter said and not even thinking of how undignified it would look to have your daughter drive a carriage into town. “Everyone, please get into the carriage, at once. We do not want the Pearson’s to beat us. Es, Kitty, sit up top and drive the horses.”

“Mamma,” said Priscilla who was stepping into the open carriage ahead of her mother. Mrs. Billing had one hand on her daughters’ hip, pushing her up the small carriage step. Priscilla took another step into the carriage to obey her mother’s pushing before sitting down. “Mamma,” she started again. “Who will stay with the horses when we get there?” 

“Oh dear,” said her mother who was about to sit down, right next to her daughter but stopped.

“Mr. Waterford can,” said Kitty who was already seated up in the driver seat.

“Yes, Mrs. Waterford,” said Mrs. Billing as she sat down. “Tell your husband to come over the Crawford’s at once and watch the horses. He will also drive us home.”

“But mam,” started the old cook. “Who will drive him over?” Mrs. Billings closed her eyes and put her head in her right hand.

“If only we didn’t have a servant problem.”

“It is but a 5-minute drive, Mamma,” said Es as she climbed on the carriage holding her long skirt away from the wheel. “Cannot he walk?”

“The weather is quite nice,” added Kitty turning around.

“Yes,” said Mrs. Billings agreeing with her daughters once more. She then turned to address Mrs. Waterford. “Send your husband over to the Crawford right away. It shall not take him long.”

“Yes, mam,” said the cook.

“Now we must be gone, or the Pearson’s will beat us,” was Mrs. Billing words as she wove her hand forwards.” Esther slipped her white gloves on her hands and took hold of the reins.

“Ready?” whispered Esther to Kitty with a big grin on her face.

“Yes,” said Kitty also grinning from ear to ear.

Though they were smiling you could see the nervousness in their eyes showing itself. Though Es held the reins in her hands and her mother had commanded her to go, for half a second, she distrusted herself. Quickly though, she pushed the doubt away. Without a second thought, she smacked the rains on the horses back and shouted “giddy up” just like she had seen old Steven Myers do a thousand times before. Despite her doubtful thoughts prior, her strong, vibrant voice showed no sign of that. No one would have guessed that she felt anything less than confident in herself.  The keen horses obeyed without a moment delay and started down the small street of Philadelphia. For the first 4 minutes, everything went well. This was mainly because she had not obtained much traffic. The Billing family lived in a large plot of land just on the edge of town. When I say everything was going well, I mean mostly. For Mrs. Billing, after realizing the absurdity of having your daughter drive the horses, sunk down in her seat and let her hat tilt so that it covered her face. Thankfully, Es knew the way to the Crawford home by heart which made it unnecessary to ask directions from her concealed mother. Now besides that, everything was well. The horses obeyed instantly when told to turn at the corners and the few drivers that they passed did not seem to notice or mind the female drivers. But the quiet drive did not continue as calm. For when Es took the horses to turn onto the Crawford’s street, she forgot to look for oncoming traffic on the crossroad. A typical rookie mistake it was, but she had become too relaxed with the thought of driving her own vehicle that the thought of other carriages floated away. As she turned the carriage to the left, she did not see the oncoming carriage approaching straight for her. When she saw the horses, halfway through the turn, she reacted in instinct. She did not think for she did not have time, but in a split second, she made the reflex decision to turn out of the way to the right.

“Yahh!” she yelled as she slapped the rains on the smooth white backs of the horses. She did it with all the muscle her thin arms would allow. The horses immediately took three quick gallops out of the way. The other carriages horses missed their carriage by merely a few inches. Thankfully, there was not another carriage or motor vehicle for at least 30 yards on either street.

“Woah,” yelled Es to the horses who at the command came to a quick and complete stop.

The truth is that Esther's reaction was very expertly done. No experienced driver could have handled the situation better (though an experienced driver probably would have looked for oncoming traffic in the first place.) What I have told you reader is the truth. Though the driver of the other carriage did not think the same of the situation.

“Woah!” he yelled at his hoses as he pulled them sharply to a stop. “Blast!” He put his whip down, tied the rains on the break stick, and jumped down off his seat in rage. He wore a black top hat and an inverness cape to keep himself warm. This was the typical outfit for every driver did in those days. He started to run to the Billings’ carriage while looking down at his feet. There were some puddles in the street from last night's rain, so he watched his steps.   

“What is the meaning of this?” he shouted as he jumped over one last slump of mud. “Don’t you know how to dr...ive?” His voice faded as he looked up as saw scared Esther looking down at him. She was obviously scared of the angry man. She just sat there with wide eyes wondering what the man would do. After just a few seconds of silence, Es replied to his question. 

“I’m sorry sir.” That was all she could say for she was truly at a loss for words.

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That's it for now. I'll try to post chapter 3 later!

New book! The Year of 1901

Hey guys, so my book that I shared on here before I am making better! It still is in draft but it's better than before. I changed it a bunch! 

Chapter 1

“We are in a Hurry!”

A middle-aged woman ran across the floor to the base of the stairs. “Girls, please hurry! We will be late!” shouted Mrs. Billing up the steep steps. In less than a few seconds, two girls came leaping out of an upstairs bedroom. Kitty, the second eldest, came out leading the way. Her long blond hair was pinned up in a bun, but a few curls still hung partway down her back. The eldest, Priscilla, followed. Her brown hair was done similarly; only her hair was shorter, so her curled hair barely passed her shoulders. They walked quickly down the stairs not even minding the railing and trying to not trip on their long skirts nor their heeled shoes. They both held a coat, hat, and handbag which they had not placed properly on themselves. For when their mother had called them, they were not getting ready at all but merely chatting and glancing at themselves in the mirror. Reader, I shall now babble a bit and tell you what has happened in the previous 20 minutes. Mostly about one of the younger Billing sisters.

Now, the three Billing girls had been getting ready for the Crawford’s lady tea in Priscilla's, the eldest, bedroom. The youngest of the three, Esther, had disappeared to her bedroom, which she shared with her next eldest sister Kitty. She had gone to get her earrings because it was nearly time to leave if they did not want to be late. Placing small shiny dangles in her ears was something that she did not do. At least at first. First, she glanced at her appearance in the mirror to see how she looked in Priscilla’s old pink dress. Priscilla did not fit it anymore and was kind enough to let Esther wear it. The dress was simply lovely with lace at the throat and the hem of the skirt. Esther gently spun two or three times looking at her reflection and then posing for her own pleasure. Her wavy hair, which Priscilla had helped her put part up, flew around as she spun. Esther’s eyes though did not stay on herself. For when she looked in the full-length mirror, she quickly noticed the book on her nightstand. She had been interrupted by Kitty telling her to get ready earlier that afternoon. I shall just read a bit and then get my earrings. Was something like the thought that crossed her mind. Reading the small book, she did but reading her book for just a page or two she did not. She finished off that chapter which was about five more pages and then being invited to the next chapter by a cliffhanger, she quickly read on as if it was still the same chapter. She took no notice of what chapter she was on nor the title of it for that was not important. Even though the book was extremely noteworthy she did not get two pages into the next chapter before her mind was enthralled by the description of the hero. The heroine’s description was of no importance to her. No notice of it was taken. For her own description she had put in its place. But the hero’s description was so boldly placed in her mind’s eye that she immediately put her book down (without moving the bookmark) and raced to her desk. She pulled a piece of paper and pencil from her desk’s top drawer and started on what was a masterpiece in her brain. Now reader, at this time all thoughts of the earring and the lady’s tea were very much gone. For her mind was in another world’s universe. Now, I shall come back to the present time.

The 20 minutes have now ended. 16-year-old Esther, who had been called Es all her life, still sat at her desk with her lovely pink dress flowing over the sides of the chair. One hand was covered with charcoal marks. Her right hand held a charcoal pencil drawing the face of a man while her left steadied the paper. So far Es was not exactly pleased with the portrait. What she had in her mind was not what was leaking out of her pencil. Her mother’s voice from the bottom of the stairs had not been heard by her small ears. For her bedroom door was closed and (as I said earlier) her mind in another world.

………………..

“Where is Es?” asked Mrs. Billing when her two daughters had reached the bottom.

“She went to get her earring a while ago,” said Kitty, the second oldest Billings girl, “She’s probably coming.” Mrs. Billing had heard what her daughter said and then quickly turned her head toward the kitchen door.

“Mrs. Waterford,” she called loudly as she shoved her left hand in a white glove. And just like that, a little round cook came out of the kitchen’s swinging door. She glided across the glossy floor as if she had no legs. The old cook was a kind woman whose face showed that she had lived a good bit of a lifetime. Her frizzy brown hair showed white streaks in it and in her right hand she held a wooden spoon with white past on. This was most likely part of the dinner that the Billings' would eat later that day. A white apron was looped over her head and tied behind her waist. Noticeably, the same white mixture that appeared on her spoon was also on her apron. 

“Yes mam,” said the cook in a ruff voice as she neared her mistress.

“Is the carriage ready?”

“The carriage mam?” questioned the old women not understanding.

“Yes, the carriage,” replied Mrs. Billing with a nod and showing that she was in a hurry. The cook's face showed that she still did not understand. “For the tea at the Crawford’s' this afternoon. We are in a hurry and are going to be late!”

“I did not know about any tea.”

“Are you telling me the carriage is not ready?”

“No one told me anything…”

“Never mind,” said Mrs. Billing with a sigh interrupting the old woman. “Just go tell Stevens to go get it ready now and bring it to the front. We are really in a hurry!” Mrs. Billing shoved her other hand in her glove as she said this. 

“Mam, but I can’t…” said Mrs. Waterford before being interrupted again.

“And tell Mr. Waterford to help him.”

“But mam…” Mrs. Billing did not try to interrupt the cook this time, but she noticed that Esther was still not down with the other girls so she shouted for her right as the cook started to talk.

“Esther please come down right now! We are in a hurry!” Mrs. Billing only called Esther her full first name when she was excited or upset.

“Mam,” said the cook after the loud shout.

“Mrs. Waterford are you still here?” was Mrs. Billing's reply with a sigh. She swung her coat over her shoulders. Mrs. Waterford tried to talk again but never got farther than opening her mouth. “I think you are making an awfully bad habit of this. When I tell you to do something you should do it. You are not paid to… to,” Mrs. Billings was having a hard time finding the right word “to contradict everything I say. Dinner can wait.” All this was said in a firm tone though Mrs. Billing’s did not raise her voice much over its normal level. Mrs. Waterford started to open her mouth again, but her mistress stopped her. This time Mrs. Billings was a little harsher and louder. “Nothing that you can say to me is of any importance. Do you want me to fire you?”

“No one in this house has ever been fired before, mam,” was the old woman's serious reply as she shook her head.

“Do you want to be the first?” said Mrs. Billing sarcastically. “If you say another word, I will fire you,” she emphasized "will" to show that she was serious. “Now please hurry.” She waved her hand towards the back door which led outside.

Mrs. Billing was one of the most respectable (not to mention one of the richest) women in Philadelphia and did not want to ruin her reputation by being late. Though reader, their reputation was a bit more ruined than one would like. This was because of many things that their family was known for which I do not have time to talk of right now. I shall talk more about that subject later. Mrs. Waterford could see that her mistress was serious and with a sigh she hurried off to tell her husband to get the carriage. Mrs. Billings then picked up her hat to put on her head. All this time the two eldest girls had been standing by their mother pining their hats on and putting their dainty fingers in their gloves. Now, reader, you might be wondering if Es had heard the second call from her mother even with her door closed and her mind in another universe’s world. She did. She had just finished the eyebrows of the portrait after finishing the eyes, which may I mention were the only two facial features drawn. She had leaned back in her chair to see how it looked. She did not think it was looking much like the hero from her book. Based upon the description it gave. For it had no pictures just like most books those days. Just then she heard her mother’s impatient voice. She gasped at realizing that she had forgotten about the tea and tried to stand up without scooting her chair away from the desk. This was a mistake for in doing this she hit her thighs on the desk, fell back in her chair, which tipped quite easily, and rolled to the ground. She did all of this in a very clumsy manner and if you would have seen her most likely would have had a hearty laugh. Es though paid no attention to her clumsy falling, and after catching herself with her hands stood up in a rather unladylike manner. Profoundly, she reached for her hat on her bed, raced to her closet, and grabbed a brown coat. The weather was a bit chilly that day. Remembering the earring that she had come to get quite some time ago, she raced to her dresser and grabbed them out of her jewelry box. She pushed them in her ears as fast she could while looking in her dresser mirror. 

 With one great leap towards her bed for her handbag, one to her bedroom door, and one great motion of opening and closing her door, she was out of the room. Esther started down the stairs and looked over the railing. Her mother, Priscilla, and Kitty had just finished putting on their coats. From the top of the stairs, you could see a clear view of anyone at the bottom. After seeing their gloved hands, she turned right around and went back into her room. She grabbed her gloves from her dresser and was out again. She neither walked nor ran down the stairs but bound. As she bound for the 3rd or 4th time she slipped on the stairs with her heeled boots and landed quite hard on a step. It really did hurt but she took no notice of her clumsy mistake. Es just stood up and continued down the stairs with a hat, coat, gloves, and handbag in hand. she reached the bottom surprisingly, Esther still looked quite nice even after having raced around her room and bounding down the stairs with some mistakes involved. Neither her mother nor her sisters took any notice of Esther’s clumsiness for they were busy tightening their cloves on their fingers and adjusting their hats on their heads.

“What took you so long?” asked her mother. Without waiting for an answer, she picked up her handbag from the small, round table to the left of the stairs, and started toward the door. Es quickly pinned her pink hat on her head and then started toward the door to catch up with her mother and sisters. Before coming 3 feet close to the door Mrs. Billings turned to her daughters and said, “Oh dear, we have to wait for the carriage. It is not yet ready. No servant in this house ever knows what is going on. Come to think of it I haven’t even seen Stevens at all today.”

“I don’t think I have either,” said Kitty also. “When I rode this morning, I saw only Mr. Waterford and he was busy in the Garden. Mrs. Billing just walked over to the mirror on the wall, looked at her reflection, and tucked a loose hair behind her ear. Mrs. Billing was an exceptionally beautiful woman who had aged quite well. Her nut-brown hair was twisted back quite lovely and her large pearl earrings made her face glow. Turning around and looking behind herself, she glanced at the grand clock that sat against the left wall. “Oh, we are late already!”

“Don’t worry mamma,” said 18-year-old Priscilla trying to comfort her mother. “The Pearson’s are always late.” This though did not comfort her mother but only upset her more.

“We are not like Pearson’s. We are respectable citizens of this town,” said Mrs. Billings rather sharply. None of the girls argued with their mother even though they knew their family’s reputation was not as good as it should have been.  

 

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That's it for the first chapter. :D

Jane Austen (This or That)

 This or that... Jane Austen style! Here we go....

Rules:

1. Thank and link back to the person who tagged you. 

2. Answer the questions

3. Tag 3 more people

4. Add a Jane Austen this or that question (about any of her books) if you want to. 

1) Who is a cuter couple? Emma and Mr. Knightly or Jane and Mr. Bingley?

I know I started hard. But they are all hard. But in my opinion I think Emma and Knightly are a cuter couple!

2) You must go to tea with Mrs. Jennings or Mrs. Bennet. Who would you rather go with?

I'm going to say Mrs. Jennings. I feel like I can stand her better than Mrs. Bennet. 

3) Dance with Edward Ferrars or Charles Bingley?

Probably Mr. Bingley.

4) Who would you rather have as a big sister? Jane Bennet or Elanor Dashwood?

Man that's hard. I would probably have to say Elinor. 

5) Worst villain? Wickham or Willoughby?

They are both pretty bad but I'm going to say Willoughby. 

6) Take a walk with Mrs. Weston or Mrs. Gardiner? (Mrs. Weston is Emma's old governess and Mrs. Gardiner is Elizabeth's aunt.)

This is hard. I would love to take a walk with either one. But I am going to go with Mrs. Weston. 

7) Mr. Darcy or Mr. Knightly?

This is hard for some people. Not for me. I shall answer this is three words. MY MR. KNIGHTLY!

But most of y'all probably already knew that. I really want to watch the 2009 series really bad!!!

I now tag:

http://libertyelegantcowgirl.blogspot.com/

http://dignifiedgirl.blogspot.com/

http://notesfromahartfieldgirl.blogspot.com/

http://maidensofgreengables.blogspot.com/

That's it guys! Hope y'all had fun with that!

 ~Beth

We Three Kings Showings

 

Hey followers,

I wanted to let y'all know that We Three Kings will be showing in Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Click on the picture above and see if any showing is close to you! 

Order your DVD here!

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