August 11, 2025 • 40 mins
Ron reads Katherine Mansfield's "The Garden Party," a poignant short story exploring class divisions, mortality, and a young woman's awakening to life's harsh realities beyond her privileged existence.
• The Sheridan family prepares for an elaborate garden party at their estate
• Laura, the youngest daughter, interacts with workmen and questions class distinctions
• News arrives of a workman's death in the nearby poor cottages
• Laura suggests canceling the party out of respect, but her family dismisses her concerns
• The party proceeds successfully despite Laura's misgivings
• Laura delivers leftover food to the dead man's family
• She experiences a profound moment seeing the peaceful dead man
• The story ends with Laura's ineffable realization about life's meaning
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Hello.
Are you tired?
You will be.
This is Ron Reads Boring Books.
This is the Garden Party byKatherine Mansfield, by
(00:22):
Catherine Mansfield.
And after all, the weather wasideal.
They could not have had a moreperfect day for a garden party
if they had ordered it Windless,warm, the sky without a cloud,
(00:52):
warm, the sky without a cloud.
Only the blue was veiled with ahaze of gold light, as it is
sometimes in early summer.
The gardener had been up sincedawn mowing the lawns and
sweeping them, until the grassand the dark, flat rosettes,
where the daisy plants had been,seemed to shine.
As for the roses, you could nothelp feeling.
(01:12):
They understood that roses arethe only flowers that impress
people at garden parties, theonly flowers that everybody is
certain of knowing.
Hundreds, yes, literallyhundreds, had come out in a
single night.
The green bushes bowed down asthough they had been visited by
(01:34):
archangels.
Breakfast was not yet overbefore the men came to put up
the marquee.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
Where do you want the marquee put?
Mother, my dear child it's nouse asking me.
I'm determined to leaveeverything to you.
Children this year, forget I'myour mother.
Treat me as an honored guest.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
But Meg could not simply go and supervise the men.
But Meg could not simply go andsupervise the men.
She had washed her hair beforebreakfast and she sat drinking
(02:20):
her coffee in a green turban,with a dark, wet curl stamped on
each cheek.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
Jose, the butterfly always came down on a silk
petticoat and a kimono jacket.
You'll have to go, laura.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
You're the autistic one Away.
Laura flew still holding herpiece of bread and butter.
It was so delicious to have anexcuse for eating out of doors
and besides, she loved having toarrange things.
She always felt she could do itso much better than anybody
else.
Four men in their shirt sleevesstood grouped together on the
(02:55):
garden path.
They carried staves coveredwith rolls of canvas and they
had big tool bags slung on theirbacks.
They looked impressive.
Laura wished now that she hadnot got the bread and butter,
but there was nowhere to put itand she couldn't possibly throw
(03:16):
it away.
She blushed and tried to looksevere and even a little bit
short-sighted as she came up tothem.
And even a little bitshort-sighted as she came up to
them.
Good morning, she said, copyingher mother's voice, but that
(03:37):
sounded so fearfully affectedthat she was ashamed and
stammered like a little girl oh,er, have you come?
Is it about the Marquis?
That's right miss said, thetallest of the men, a lanky,
freckled fellow, and he shiftedhis tool bag, knocked back his
straw hat and smiled down at her.
Speaker 2 (03:54):
That's about it.
Speaker 1 (03:57):
His smile was so easy , so friendly, that Laura
recovered what nice eyes he had,small but such a dark blue.
And now she looked at theothers they were smiling too.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
Cheer up, we won't bite.
Speaker 1 (04:12):
Their smiles seemed to say how very nice workmen
here and what a beautifulmorning.
She mustn't mention the morning.
She mustn't mention the morning.
She must be businesslike, theMarquis.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
Well, what about the lily lawn Would?
Speaker 1 (04:34):
that do, and she pointed to the lily lawn with
the hand that didn't hold thebread and butter.
They turned, they stared in thedirection, a little fat chap
thrust out his under lip and thetall fellow frowned.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
I don't fancy it, said he Not conspicuous enough,
you see, with a thing like amarquee.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
And he turned to Laura in his easy way.
You want to put it somewherewhere it'll give you a bang slap
in the eye if you follow me.
Laura's upbringing made herwonder for a moment whether it
was quite respectful of aworkman to talk of her bangs
slap in the eye.
But she did quite follow him.
(05:21):
A corner in the tennis courtshe suggested, but the band's
going to be in the corner.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
Going to have a band, are you?
Speaker 1 (05:34):
said another of the workmen.
He was pale.
He had a haggard look as hisdark eyes scanned the tennis
court.
What was he thinking?
Only a small band said Lauragently, Perhaps she wouldn't
mind so much if the band wasquite small.
But the tall fellow interrupted.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
Look here, miss.
That's the place Against overthose trees over there.
That'll do fine.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
Against the caracas.
Then the caraca trees would behidden.
And they were so lovely withtheir broad, gleaming leaves and
their clusters of yellow fruit.
They were like trees youimagined growing on a desert
island, proud of solitary,lifting their leaves and fruits
(06:20):
to the sun in a kind of silentsplendor.
Must they be hidden by amarquee?
They must.
Already.
The men had shouldered theirstaves and were making for the
place.
Only the tall fellow was left.
He bent down, pinched a sprigof lavender, put his thumb and
forefinger to his nose andsnuffed up the smell.
(06:40):
When Laura saw that gesture,she forgot all about the Caracas
and her wonder at him caringfor things like that, caring for
the smell of lavender.
How many men that she knewwould not have done such a thing
?
How extraordinarily niceworkmen were, she thought.
Why couldn't she have workmenfor her friends rather than the
(07:02):
silly boys she danced with andwho came to Sunday night supper?
She would get on much betterwith men like these.
It's all the fault, she decided, as the tall fellow drew
something on the back of anenvelope, something that was to
be looped up or left to hang ofthese absurd class distinctions.
Left to hang of these absurdclass distinctions.
(07:24):
Well, for her part, she didn'tfeel them, not a bit, not an
atom.
And now there came the chalk,chalk of wooden hammers.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
Someone whistled someone sang out.
Are you all right there, matey,Matey.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
The friendliness of it, just to prove how happy she
was, just to show the tallfellow how at home she felt and
how she despised stupidconventions.
Laura took a big bite of herbread and butter as she stared
at the little drawing.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
She felt just like a work girl.
Laura, when are you?
Telephone.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
Laura.
A voice cried from the house.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
Coming.
Speaker 1 (08:09):
Away.
She skimmed over the lawn upthe paths, up the steps, across
the veranda and into the porch.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
In the hall her father and Laurie were brushing
their hats ready to go to theoffice.
I say Laura, said Laurie, veryfast, you might just give a
squeeze at my coat before thisafternoon.
See if it wants pressing Allright she said Suddenly she
couldn't stop herself.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
She ran at Laurie and gave him a small quick squeeze.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Oh, I do love parties , don't you?
Speaker 1 (08:51):
Gassed Laura Rather, said Laurie's warm boyish voice,
and he squeezed his sister tooand gave her a gentle push.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
Dash off to the telephone gold girl the
telephone.
Yes, yes, oh yes, Kitty, goodmorning, gold girl the telephone
.
Speaker 1 (09:06):
Yes, yes, oh yes, kitty.
Good morning, dear, come tolunch.
No, dear, delighted.
Of course It'll only be a veryscratch meal, just the sandwich
crust and broken meringue shellsand what's left over.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
Yes, it is a perfect morning.
You're white.
Oh, I certainly should Onemoment.
Speaker 1 (09:23):
Hold the line Mother's calling You're white.
Oh, I certainly should Onemoment Hold the line Mother's
calling Laura sat back.
What Mother Can't hear MrsSheridan's voice floated down
the stairs?
Speaker 2 (09:36):
Tell her to wear that sweet hat she had on last
Sunday.
Mother wants you to wear thatsweet hat you had on last Sunday
.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
Good One o'clock, bye-bye.
Laura put back the receiver,flung her arms over her head,
took a deep breath, stretchedand let them fall.
She sighed and the moment afterthe size, she sat up quickly.
She was still listening.
All the doors in the houseseemed to be open.
(10:04):
The house was alive with soft,quick steps and running voices.
The green baize door that ledto the kitchen regions swung
open and shut with a muffledthud and now there came a long
chuckling, absurd sound.
It was the heavy piano beingmoved on its stiff casters, but
(10:26):
the air, if you stop to notice,was the air always like this
Little faint.
Winds were playing chase in thetops of the windows and out the
doors.
There were two tiny spots ofsun, one on the ink pot, one on
a silver photograph frame.
Plague too, darling littlespots, especially the one on the
(10:51):
ink pot lid.
It was quite warm, a warmlittle silver star.
She could have kissed it.
The front doorbell pealed andthere sounded the rustle of
Sadie's print skirt.
On the stairs, a man's voicemurmured.
Sadie answered careless.
I'm sure I don't know, wait,I'll ask Mrs Sheridan what is it
(11:13):
sadie?
Laura came into the hall.
It's the florist, miss laura.
It was indeed there.
Just inside the door stood awide, shallow tray full of pots
and pink lilies.
No other kind, nothing butlilies, canna lilies, big pink
flowers, wide, radiant, almostfrighteningly alive, on bright
(11:38):
crimson stems.
Oh Sadie said Laura, and thesound was like a little moan.
She crouched down as if to warmherself at that blaze of lilies
.
She felt they were in herfingers, on her lips, growing in
her breast.
It's some mistake, she saidfaintly.
(11:58):
Nobody ever ordered so many.
Sadie Go and find Mother.
But at that moment Mrs Sheridanjoined them.
It's quite right, she saidcalmly.
Speaker 2 (12:10):
Yes, I ordered them, Aren't they lovely?
Speaker 1 (12:14):
She pressed Laura's arm.
Speaker 2 (12:16):
I was passing the shop yesterday and I saw them in
the window and I suddenlythought for once in my life I
shall have enough can of lilies.
The garden party would be agood excuse.
Speaker 1 (12:31):
But I thought you said you didn't mean to
interfere, said Laura Sadie hadgone.
The florist man was stilloutside at his van.
She put her arm around hermother's neck and gently, very
gently, she bit her mother's ear, my darling child.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
Wouldn't you like a logical mother, wouldn't you?
Would you?
Don't do that.
Here's the man.
He carried more lily steel,another whole tray Bank them up
just inside the door, on bothsides of the porch, please said
Mrs Sheridan.
Don't, you agree, Laura?
Speaker 1 (13:13):
Oh, I do mother oh, I do Mother In the drawing room
Meg Jose and a good little Hanshad at last succeeded in moving
the piano.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
Now, if we put this Chesterfield against the wall
and move everything out of theroom except the chairs, don't
you think Quite the wall andmove everything out of the room
except the chairs, don't youthink Quiet, Hans?
Move these tables into thesmoking room and bring the
sweeper to take these mocks offthe carpet.
Speaker 1 (13:45):
And one moment, Hans Jose loved giving orders to the
servants and they loved obeyingher.
The servants, and they lovedobeying her.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
She made them feel like they were taking part in
some drama.
Tell me Mother, Miss Laura,come here at once.
Tell Mother and Miss Laura tocome here at once.
Very good, Miss Jose.
Speaker 1 (14:12):
She turned to Meg.
I want to hear what the pianosounds like, just in case I'm
asked to sing this afternoon.
Let's try over.
This life is wearyPom-ta-ta-ta-ti-ta.
(14:32):
The piano burst out sopassionately that Jose's face
changed.
She clasped her hands.
She looked mournfully andenigmatically at her mother and
Laura as they came in.
This life is weary.
(14:53):
A tear, a sigh, a love thatchanges and then goodbye.
But at that word goodbye.
And although the piano soundedmore desperate than ever, her
face broke into a brilliant,dreadfully unsympathetic smile
aren't I good in voice, mummy?
(15:15):
She beamed.
This life is weary.
Hope comes to die.
A dream awakening.
But now Sadie interrupted them.
What is?
Speaker 2 (15:30):
it, Sadie, If you please.
Ma'am, Look, cook says you gotthe flags for the sandwiches.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
The flags for the sandwiches, Sadie echoed Mrs
Sheridan dreamily, and thechildren knew by her face that
she hadn't got them.
Speaker 2 (15:47):
Let me see.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
And she said to Sadie firmly tell Cook I'll have.
Speaker 2 (15:52):
I'll let her have them in 10 minutes.
Speaker 1 (15:56):
Sadie went Now Laura.
Now Laura said her motherquickly.
Speaker 2 (16:03):
Come with me into the smoking room.
I've got the names somewhere inthe back of an envelope.
You have to write them out forme.
Meg, go upstairs this minuteand take that wet thing off your
head.
Jose, run and finish dressingthis instant.
Do you hear me, children?
Or shall I have to tell yourfather when he comes home
tonight?
Speaker 1 (16:24):
and and jose, pacify, cook, if you do go into the
kitchen where you, I'm terrifiedof her this morning the
envelope was found at lastbehind the dining room clock,
though how it had got there, mrsSheridan could not imagine.
Speaker 2 (16:45):
One of you children must have stolen it out of my
bag, because I remember vividlycream cheese and lemon curd.
Have you done that?
Yes, big end.
Speaker 1 (16:56):
Mrs Sheridan held the envelope away from her.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
It looks like mice.
It can't be mice, can it?
Speaker 1 (17:04):
Olive pet said Laura looking over her shoulder.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
Yes, of course olive.
What a horrible combination.
It sounds egg and olive.
Speaker 1 (17:14):
They were finished at last and Laura took them off to
the kitchen.
She found Jose there pacifyingthe cook, who did not look at
all terrifying.
I have never seen suchexquisite sandwiches, said
Jose's rapturous voice.
How many kinds did you saythere were?
(17:35):
Cook Fifteen.
Speaker 2 (17:37):
Fifteen, Miss Jose.
Speaker 1 (17:40):
Well cook.
I congratulate you, Cook.
Swept up crusts with the longsandwich knife and smiled
broadly.
Gobblers have come announced toSadie issuing out of the pantry
, she had seen the man pass thewindow.
That meant the cream puffs hadcome.
(18:04):
Godbers were famous for theircream puffs.
Speaker 2 (18:08):
Nobody ever thought of making them at home.
Bring them in and I'll put themon the table.
Speaker 1 (18:11):
My girl ordered the cook, sadie brought them in and
went back to the door.
Of course, laura and Jose werefar too grown up to really care
about such things.
All the same, they couldn'thelp agreeing that the puffs
looked very attractive.
Very Cook began arranging them,shaking off the extra icing
(18:34):
sugar.
Don't they carry one back toall one's parties, said Laura.
I suppose they do, saidPractical Jose, I suppose they
do, said Practical Jose, whonever liked to be carried back.
They look beautifully, lightand feathery.
(18:54):
I must say have one each mydears.
Have one each my dears, saidthe cook in her comfortable
voice.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
Your mama won't know.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
Oh impossible, fancy cream puffs so soon after
breakfast.
The very idea made one shudder.
The very idea made one shudderAll the same.
Two minutes later, jose andLaura were licking their fingers
with that absorbed inward look,that only comes from whipped
cream.
Let's go to the garden out bythe back way, suggested Laura.
(19:33):
I want to see how the men aregetting on with the marquee.
They're such awfully nice men.
But the back door was blockedby Cook, sadie, goldberg's man,
and Hans.
Something had happened.
Tuck, tuck, tuck, clucked Cooklike an agitated hen.
Sadie had her hand clapped toher cheek as though she had a
(19:56):
toothache.
Hans' voice was screwed up inthe effort to understand.
Only Godber's man seemed to beenjoying himself.
It was his story.
Speaker 2 (20:09):
What's the matter?
What happened?
There's been a horribleaccident, said Cook, a man
killed A man killed.
Where, how, when?
Speaker 1 (20:18):
But Godber's man wasn't going to have his story
snatched from under his verynose.
Know those little cottages justbelow here, miss.
Know them.
Of course she knew them.
Of course, know them.
Of course she knew them.
Well, there's a young chapliving there named Scott, a
cotter.
His horse shied at the tractionengine corner of Hawk Street
(20:41):
this morning and he was thrownout on the back of his head,
killed Dead.
Laura stailed at Gobber's manDead.
When they picked him up, saidGobber's man with relish.
They were taking the body homeas I come up here.
And he said to the cook he'sleft a wife and five little ones
(21:03):
, jose, come here.
Laura caught hold of hersister's sleeve and dragged her
through the kitchen to the otherside of the green baize door.
There she paused and leanedagainst it.
Jose she said, horrified.
However, are we going to?
Speaker 2 (21:21):
stop everything.
Speaker 1 (21:23):
Stop everything, Laura cried Jose in astonishment
.
Speaker 2 (21:27):
What do you mean?
Speaker 1 (21:29):
Stop the garden party , of course.
Why did Jose pretend?
But Jose was still more amazed.
Speaker 2 (21:36):
Stop the garden party , my dear Laura, don't be so
absurd.
Speaker 1 (21:40):
Of course we can't do anything of the kind.
Nobody expects us to Don't beso extravagant, but we can't
possibly have a garden partywith a man dead just outside the
front gate.
That really was extravagant,for the little cottages were in
a lane to themselves at the verybottom of a steep rise that led
up to the house.
(22:00):
A broad road ran between.
True, they were far too near,they were the greatest possible
eyesore and they had no right tobe in that neighborhood at all.
They were little, meandwellings painted a chocolate
brown.
In the garden patches there wasnothing but cabbage stalks,
sick hens and tomato cans.
(22:21):
The very smoke coming out oftheir chimneys was
poverty-stricken little rags,shreds of smoke.
So, unlike the great silveryplumes that uncurled from the
Sheridan's chimneys, washerwomen lived in the lane and
sweeps and a cobbler and a manwhose house front was studded
all over with minute bird,minute bird cages.
(22:44):
Children swarmed.
When the sheridans were little,they were forbidden to set foot
there because of the revoltinglanguage and of what they might
catch.
But since they were grown up,laura and Laurie, on their prowl
, sometimes walked through.
It was disgusting and sordid.
(23:05):
They came out with a shudder.
But still, one must goeverywhere, one must see
everything.
So through they went and justthink of what the band would
sound like.
To that poor woman, said Laura,oh Laura.
Jose began to be seriouslyannoyed.
If you're going to stop a bandplaying every time someone has
(23:26):
an accident, you lead a verystrenuous life.
I'm every bit as sorry about itas you.
I feel sympathetic.
Her eyes hardened.
She looked at her sister justas she used to when they were
little and fighting together.
You won't bring a drunkenworkman back to life by being
sentimental, she said softly,drunk.
Who said he was drunk?
(23:47):
Laura turned furiously on Jose.
She said as they had used tosay on those occasions I'm going
straight up to tell Mother Do,dear cooed Jose, mother, can I
come sit in?
Can I come into your room?
Laura turned the big glassdoorknob.
Speaker 2 (24:06):
Of course, child.
Why, what's the matter?
What's given you such a color?
Speaker 1 (24:11):
And Mrs Sheridan turned from around her dressing
table.
She was trying on a new hat.
Mother, a man's been killed,began Laura, not in the garden,
interrupted her mother.
Speaker 2 (24:23):
Oh, no, oh, what a fright you gave me.
Speaker 1 (24:27):
Mrs Sheridan sighed with relief and took off the big
hat and held it on her knees.
But listen, mother, said Laura,breathless, half choked, she
told the dreadful story.
Of course we can't have ourgarden party, can we?
She pleaded the band andeverybody arriving they'll hear
(24:47):
us.
They're nearly neighbors.
To Laura's astonishment, hermother behaved just like Jose.
It was harder to bear becauseshe seemed amused.
She refused to take Lauraseriously.
Speaker 2 (25:01):
But, my dear child, use your common sense.
It's only by accident we'veheard of it.
If someone had died therenormally and I can't understand
how they keep alive in thosepokey little holes we should
still be having our party,shouldn't we?
Speaker 1 (25:19):
Laura had to say yes to that, but she felt it was all
wrong.
She sat down on her mother'ssofa and pinched the cushion for
real, mother, isn't it terriblyheartless of us.
Speaker 2 (25:35):
Piling.
Speaker 1 (25:37):
Mrs Sheridan got up and came over to her carrying
the hat.
Before Laura could stop her,she popped in.
My child said her mother.
Speaker 2 (25:46):
The hat is yours.
It's made for you.
It's much too young for me.
I have never seen you look sucha picture.
Look at yourself.
Speaker 1 (25:55):
She held up her hand mirror, but mother Laura began
again.
Speaker 2 (25:57):
She just couldn't Look at yourself.
She held up her hand mirror.
Speaker 1 (25:59):
But mother Laura began again.
She just couldn't look atherself.
She turned aside.
This time Miss Sheridan lostpatience, just as Jose had done.
You're being very absurd, laura.
She said coldly.
Speaker 2 (26:15):
People like that don't expect sacrifices from us
and it's not very sympathetic tospoil everybody's enjoyment as
you're doing now.
Speaker 1 (26:25):
I don't understand, said Laura, and she walked
quickly out of the room into herown bedroom.
There, quite by chance, thefirst thing she saw was this
charming girl in the mirror inher black hat trimmed with gold
daisies and a long black velvetribbon.
Never had she imagined shecould look like that.
(26:46):
Is mother right?
She thought, and now she hopedher mother was right.
Am I being extravagant?
Perhaps it was extravagant Justfor a moment.
She had another glimpse of thatpoor woman and those little
children and the body beingcarried into the house.
But it all seemed blurred,unreal, like a picture in the
(27:07):
newspaper.
I'll remember it again.
After the party's over, shedecided, and somehow that seemed
quite the best plan.
Lunch was over half past one.
By half past two they were allready for the fray.
The green-coated band hadarrived and was establishing in
a corner of the tennis court.
Speaker 2 (27:27):
My dear trilled Kitty Maitland aren't they two like
frogs for words?
Speaker 1 (27:34):
You ought to have arranged them around the pond
with the corridor in the middle.
On a leaf, laurie arrived andheld them on his way to dress.
At the sight of him, lauraremembered the accident again.
She wanted to tell him IfLaurie agreed with the others,
then it was bound to be allright, and she followed him into
the hall laurie hello he washalfway up the stairs, but when
(27:59):
he turned around and saw laura,he suddenly puffed out his
cheeks and goggled his eyes ather my word laura, you look
stunning, said laurie.
What an absolutely topping hat.
Laur, said faintly, is it?
And smiled up at Laurie anddidn't tell him after all.
Soon after that, people begancoming in streams.
(28:26):
The band struck up.
The hired waiters ran from thehouse to the marquee.
Wherever you looked there werecouples strolling, bending to
the flowers, greeting, moving onover the lawn.
They were like bright birdsthat had alighted in the
Sheridan's garden for this oneafternoon On their way to where.
(28:48):
Ah, what happiness it is to bewith people who are all happy to
press hands, press cheeks,smile into eyes.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
Darling, Laura, how well do you look?
What a becoming hat child.
Speaker 1 (29:02):
Laura, you look quite Spanish.
I've never seen you looking sostriking.
And Laura, glowing, answeredsoftly have you had tea?
Won't you have an ice?
Glowing answered softly haveyou had tea?
Won't you have an ice?
The passion fruit ices reallyare rather special.
She ran to her father andbegged him.
(29:23):
Daddy darling, can't the bandhave something to drink?
And the perfect afternoonslowly ripened, slowly faded.
Its petals closed.
Speaker 2 (29:34):
Never a more delightful garden party.
The greatest success Quite themost.
Speaker 1 (29:43):
Laura helped her mother with the goodbyes.
They stood side by side in theporch till it was all over.
Speaker 2 (29:50):
All over, all over, thank heaven said.
Speaker 1 (29:54):
Miss Sheridan.
Speaker 2 (29:57):
Round up the others.
Laura, let's go and have somefresh coffee.
I'm exhausted.
Yes, it's been very successful,but all these parties, these
parties, why will you childreninsist on giving parties?
Speaker 1 (30:09):
and they, all of them , sat down in the deserted
marquee have a sandwich, daddy.
Speaker 2 (30:17):
I wrote the flag.
Speaker 1 (30:20):
Thanks.
Mr Sheridan took a bite and thesandwich was gone.
He took another.
I suppose you didn't hear of abeastly accident that happened
today, he said.
My dear said Mr Sheridanholding up her hand.
We did.
Speaker 2 (30:36):
It nearly ruined the party.
Laura insisted we put it off.
Oh mother.
Speaker 1 (30:42):
Laura didn't want to be teased about it.
It was horrible all the samesaid, mr Sheridan, the chap was
married too.
Speaker 2 (30:52):
Lived just below the lane and leaves a wife and half
a dozen kitties.
So they say.
Speaker 1 (30:59):
An awkward little silence fell.
Mrs Sheridan fidgeted with hercup.
Really it was very tactless offather.
Suddenly she looked up.
There on the table were allthose sandwiches, cakes, puffs,
all uneaten, all going to bewasted.
Speaker 2 (31:15):
She had one of her brilliant ideas, I know she said
let's make up a basket and sendthat poor creature some of this
perfectly good food.
At any rate, it would be thegreatest treat for the children,
don't you agree?
And she's sure to haveneighbors calling in and so on.
What point to have it alreadyprepared, Laura.
Speaker 1 (31:41):
She jumped up.
Speaker 2 (31:42):
Give me the big basket out of the upstairs
cupboard.
Speaker 1 (31:46):
But mother, do you really think it's a good idea,
Said Laura Again how curious sheseemed to be different from
them all to take scraps fromtheir party?
Would the poor woman reallylike that?
Speaker 2 (32:00):
of course.
What's the matter with youtoday?
An hour or two ago, you wereinsisting on us being
sympathetic and now ran for thebasket.
Speaker 1 (32:10):
It was filled.
It was heaped by her mother.
Speaker 2 (32:14):
Take it yourself, darling.
She said Run down just as youare.
No wait, take the Arum liliestoo.
People of that class are soimpressed by Arum lilies.
The stems would ruin her lice,frock said Practical, who's
eight?
Speaker 1 (32:32):
So they would just in time.
Speaker 2 (32:36):
Only the basket, then , and Laura.
Speaker 1 (32:38):
Her mother followed her out.
The marquee Don't do anyaccount.
What mother?
No Better not put such ideas inthe child's head.
Nothing Run along.
It was just growing dusky.
As Laura shut the garden gates,a big dog ran by like a shadow.
(33:05):
The road gleamed white and downbelow the hollow the little
cottages were in deep shade.
How quiet it seemed after theafternoon.
Here she was going down thehill to somewhere where a man
lay dead.
She couldn't realize it.
(33:26):
Why couldn't she?
She stopped a minute and itseemed to her that kisses,
voices, tinkling spoons,laughter, the smell of crushed
grass were somehow inside her.
She had no room for anythingelse.
How strange.
She looked up at the pale skyand all she thought was yes, it
(33:47):
was the most successful party.
Now the broad road was crossed,the lane began smoky and and
dark.
Women in shawls and men's tweedcaps, hurried by men, hung over
the palings.
The children played in thedoorways.
A low hum came from the meanlittle cottages and some of them
(34:09):
.
There was a flicker of lightand a shadow crab-like moved
across the window.
Laura bent her head and hurriedon.
She wished now she had put on acoat how her frock shone, and
the big hat with the velvetstreamer.
If only it was another hat.
Were the people looking at her.
(34:30):
They must be.
It was a mistake to have come.
She knew all along it was amistake.
Should she go back even now, notoo late?
This was the house.
It must be A dark knot ofpeople stood outside, beside the
gate, an old, old woman with acrutch sat in a chair watching.
(34:50):
She had her feet on a newspaper.
The voices stopped as LauraJunier, the group parted.
It was as though she wasexpected, as though they had
known she was coming there.
Laura was terribly nervous,tossing the velvet ribbon over
her shoulder.
She said to a woman standing byIs this Mr Scott's house?
(35:13):
And the woman, smiling queerly,said it is my lass.
Oh, to be away from this.
She actually said Help me.
God, as she walked up the tinypath and knocked To be away from
those staring eyes or to becovered up in anything one of
those women's shawls even I'lljust leave the basket and go,
(35:34):
she decided.
I shan't even wait for it to becovered up in anything one of
those women's shawls even I'lljust leave the basket and go,
she decided.
I shan't even wait for it to beemptied.
Then the door opened.
A little woman in black showedin the gloom.
Laura said Are you, mrs Scott?
But to her horror the womananswered Walk in, please miss.
And she shut, was shut in thepassage.
(35:56):
No said Laura, I don't want tocome in, I only want to leave
the basket.
Mother sent the little woman inthe gloomy passage, seemed not
to have heard her.
Step this way, please miss.
She said in an oily voice, andLaura followed her.
She found herself in a wretchedlittle low kitchen lighted by a
(36:18):
smoky lamp.
There was a woman sittingbefore the fire.
Mm said the little creature wholet her in.
Mm it's a young lady.
She turned to Laura.
She said meaningly I'm hersister.
Speaker 2 (36:33):
miss, You'll excuse her, won't you.
Speaker 1 (36:36):
But of course, said Laura, please don't disturb her,
I only want to leave.
But at that moment the woman atthe fire turned around.
Her face puffed up, red, withswollen eyes and swollen lips,
looked terrible.
She seemed as though shecouldn't understand why Laura
(36:56):
was there.
What did it mean?
Why was this stranger standingin the kitchen with a basket?
What was it all about?
And the poor face puckered upagain.
It's all right, my dear, saidthe other.
I'll thank the young lady.
And again she began.
Speaker 2 (37:18):
You'll excuse her miss, I'm sure.
Speaker 1 (37:20):
And her face swollen too, tried an oily smile.
Laura only wanted to get out,to get away.
She was back in the passage.
The door opened.
She walked straight into thebedroom where the dead man was
laying.
You'd like to look at him,wouldn't you, said M's sister as
(37:40):
she brushed past Laura, overthe bed.
Don't be afraid, my lass.
And now her voice sounded fondand sly, and fondly she drew
down the sheet.
Speaker 2 (37:49):
He looks a picture.
There's nothing to show.
Come along, my dear.
Speaker 1 (37:53):
Laura came, there lay a young man fast asleep,
sleeping so soundly, so deeply,that he was far, far away from
them both.
Oh, so remote, so peaceful.
He was dreaming, never wake himup again.
His head was sunk in the pillow.
His eyes were closed.
They were blind.
Under the closed eyelids he wasgiven up to his dream.
(38:16):
What did garden parties andbaskets and lace frocks matter
to him?
He was far from all thosethings.
He was wonderful, beautiful.
While they were laughing andwhile the band was playing, this
marvel had come to the lane.
Happy, happy, all is well.
Said that sleeping face, thisis just as it should be.
(38:37):
I am content, but all the same,you had to cry.
And she couldn't go out of theroom without saying something to
him.
Laura gave a loud childish sobForgive my hat, she said, and
this time she didn't wait forM's sister.
She found her way out the door,down the path, past all those
(38:59):
dark people.
At the corner of the lane shemet Laurie.
He stepped out of the shadow.
Speaker 2 (39:04):
Is that you, laura?
Speaker 1 (39:06):
Yes, Mother was getting anxious.
Was it all right?
Yes, quite, oh, laurie.
She took his arm and pressed upagainst him "'I say, you're not
crying, are you' asked herbrother.
Laura shook her head.
She was Laurie, put his armaround her shoulder.
"'don't cry', he said in hiswarm, loving voice.
(39:26):
"'was it awful' "'No' sobbedLaura.
"'it was simply marvelous, butLaurie—' she stopped.
She looked at her brother.
Isn't life?
She stammered Isn't life.
But what life was?
She couldn't explain.
No matter, he quite understood.
Speaker 2 (39:46):
Isn't it, darling, said Laurie.
Speaker 1 (40:06):
This has been the Garden Party by Katherine
Mansfield.
This has been Ron Reads BoringBooks.
Please leave a five-star ratingand a positive review.
Please like and subscribe tothis podcast and share it with
your friends, thank you.
Hello.
Are you tired?
You will be.
This is Ron Reads Boring Books.
This is the Garden Party byKatherine Mansfield, by
(00:22):
Catherine Mansfield.
And after all, the weather wasideal.
They could not have had a moreperfect day for a garden party
if they had ordered it Windless,warm, the sky without a cloud,
(00:52):
warm, the sky without a cloud.
Only the blue was veiled with ahaze of gold light, as it is
sometimes in early summer.
The gardener had been up sincedawn mowing the lawns and
sweeping them, until the grassand the dark, flat rosettes,
where the daisy plants had been,seemed to shine.
As for the roses, you could nothelp feeling.
(01:12):
They understood that roses arethe only flowers that impress
people at garden parties, theonly flowers that everybody is
certain of knowing.
Hundreds, yes, literallyhundreds, had come out in a
single night.
The green bushes bowed down asthough they had been visited by
(01:34):
archangels.
Breakfast was not yet overbefore the men came to put up
the marquee.
Speaker 2 (01:43):
Where do you want the marquee put?
Mother, my dear child it's nouse asking me.
I'm determined to leaveeverything to you.
Children this year, forget I'myour mother.
Treat me as an honored guest.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
But Meg could not simply go and supervise the men.
But Meg could not simply go andsupervise the men.
She had washed her hair beforebreakfast and she sat drinking
(02:20):
her coffee in a green turban,with a dark, wet curl stamped on
each cheek.
Speaker 2 (02:29):
Jose, the butterfly always came down on a silk
petticoat and a kimono jacket.
You'll have to go, laura.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
You're the autistic one Away.
Laura flew still holding herpiece of bread and butter.
It was so delicious to have anexcuse for eating out of doors
and besides, she loved having toarrange things.
She always felt she could do itso much better than anybody
else.
Four men in their shirt sleevesstood grouped together on the
(02:55):
garden path.
They carried staves coveredwith rolls of canvas and they
had big tool bags slung on theirbacks.
They looked impressive.
Laura wished now that she hadnot got the bread and butter,
but there was nowhere to put itand she couldn't possibly throw
(03:16):
it away.
She blushed and tried to looksevere and even a little bit
short-sighted as she came up tothem.
And even a little bitshort-sighted as she came up to
them.
Good morning, she said, copyingher mother's voice, but that
(03:37):
sounded so fearfully affectedthat she was ashamed and
stammered like a little girl oh,er, have you come?
Is it about the Marquis?
That's right miss said, thetallest of the men, a lanky,
freckled fellow, and he shiftedhis tool bag, knocked back his
straw hat and smiled down at her.
Speaker 2 (03:54):
That's about it.
Speaker 1 (03:57):
His smile was so easy , so friendly, that Laura
recovered what nice eyes he had,small but such a dark blue.
And now she looked at theothers they were smiling too.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
Cheer up, we won't bite.
Speaker 1 (04:12):
Their smiles seemed to say how very nice workmen
here and what a beautifulmorning.
She mustn't mention the morning.
She mustn't mention the morning.
She must be businesslike, theMarquis.
Speaker 2 (04:31):
Well, what about the lily lawn Would?
Speaker 1 (04:34):
that do, and she pointed to the lily lawn with
the hand that didn't hold thebread and butter.
They turned, they stared in thedirection, a little fat chap
thrust out his under lip and thetall fellow frowned.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
I don't fancy it, said he Not conspicuous enough,
you see, with a thing like amarquee.
Speaker 1 (04:58):
And he turned to Laura in his easy way.
You want to put it somewherewhere it'll give you a bang slap
in the eye if you follow me.
Laura's upbringing made herwonder for a moment whether it
was quite respectful of aworkman to talk of her bangs
slap in the eye.
But she did quite follow him.
(05:21):
A corner in the tennis courtshe suggested, but the band's
going to be in the corner.
Speaker 2 (05:32):
Going to have a band, are you?
Speaker 1 (05:34):
said another of the workmen.
He was pale.
He had a haggard look as hisdark eyes scanned the tennis
court.
What was he thinking?
Only a small band said Lauragently, Perhaps she wouldn't
mind so much if the band wasquite small.
But the tall fellow interrupted.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
Look here, miss.
That's the place Against overthose trees over there.
That'll do fine.
Speaker 1 (05:58):
Against the caracas.
Then the caraca trees would behidden.
And they were so lovely withtheir broad, gleaming leaves and
their clusters of yellow fruit.
They were like trees youimagined growing on a desert
island, proud of solitary,lifting their leaves and fruits
(06:20):
to the sun in a kind of silentsplendor.
Must they be hidden by amarquee?
They must.
Already.
The men had shouldered theirstaves and were making for the
place.
Only the tall fellow was left.
He bent down, pinched a sprigof lavender, put his thumb and
forefinger to his nose andsnuffed up the smell.
(06:40):
When Laura saw that gesture,she forgot all about the Caracas
and her wonder at him caringfor things like that, caring for
the smell of lavender.
How many men that she knewwould not have done such a thing
?
How extraordinarily niceworkmen were, she thought.
Why couldn't she have workmenfor her friends rather than the
(07:02):
silly boys she danced with andwho came to Sunday night supper?
She would get on much betterwith men like these.
It's all the fault, she decided, as the tall fellow drew
something on the back of anenvelope, something that was to
be looped up or left to hang ofthese absurd class distinctions.
Left to hang of these absurdclass distinctions.
(07:24):
Well, for her part, she didn'tfeel them, not a bit, not an
atom.
And now there came the chalk,chalk of wooden hammers.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
Someone whistled someone sang out.
Are you all right there, matey,Matey.
Speaker 1 (07:45):
The friendliness of it, just to prove how happy she
was, just to show the tallfellow how at home she felt and
how she despised stupidconventions.
Laura took a big bite of herbread and butter as she stared
at the little drawing.
Speaker 2 (08:00):
She felt just like a work girl.
Laura, when are you?
Telephone.
Speaker 1 (08:05):
Laura.
A voice cried from the house.
Speaker 2 (08:07):
Coming.
Speaker 1 (08:09):
Away.
She skimmed over the lawn upthe paths, up the steps, across
the veranda and into the porch.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
In the hall her father and Laurie were brushing
their hats ready to go to theoffice.
I say Laura, said Laurie, veryfast, you might just give a
squeeze at my coat before thisafternoon.
See if it wants pressing Allright she said Suddenly she
couldn't stop herself.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
She ran at Laurie and gave him a small quick squeeze.
Speaker 2 (08:46):
Oh, I do love parties , don't you?
Speaker 1 (08:51):
Gassed Laura Rather, said Laurie's warm boyish voice,
and he squeezed his sister tooand gave her a gentle push.
Speaker 2 (09:02):
Dash off to the telephone gold girl the
telephone.
Yes, yes, oh yes, Kitty, goodmorning, gold girl the telephone
.
Speaker 1 (09:06):
Yes, yes, oh yes, kitty.
Good morning, dear, come tolunch.
No, dear, delighted.
Of course It'll only be a veryscratch meal, just the sandwich
crust and broken meringue shellsand what's left over.
Speaker 2 (09:18):
Yes, it is a perfect morning.
You're white.
Oh, I certainly should Onemoment.
Speaker 1 (09:23):
Hold the line Mother's calling You're white.
Oh, I certainly should Onemoment Hold the line Mother's
calling Laura sat back.
What Mother Can't hear MrsSheridan's voice floated down
the stairs?
Speaker 2 (09:36):
Tell her to wear that sweet hat she had on last
Sunday.
Mother wants you to wear thatsweet hat you had on last Sunday
.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
Good One o'clock, bye-bye.
Laura put back the receiver,flung her arms over her head,
took a deep breath, stretchedand let them fall.
She sighed and the moment afterthe size, she sat up quickly.
She was still listening.
All the doors in the houseseemed to be open.
(10:04):
The house was alive with soft,quick steps and running voices.
The green baize door that ledto the kitchen regions swung
open and shut with a muffledthud and now there came a long
chuckling, absurd sound.
It was the heavy piano beingmoved on its stiff casters, but
(10:26):
the air, if you stop to notice,was the air always like this
Little faint.
Winds were playing chase in thetops of the windows and out the
doors.
There were two tiny spots ofsun, one on the ink pot, one on
a silver photograph frame.
Plague too, darling littlespots, especially the one on the
(10:51):
ink pot lid.
It was quite warm, a warmlittle silver star.
She could have kissed it.
The front doorbell pealed andthere sounded the rustle of
Sadie's print skirt.
On the stairs, a man's voicemurmured.
Sadie answered careless.
I'm sure I don't know, wait,I'll ask Mrs Sheridan what is it
(11:13):
sadie?
Laura came into the hall.
It's the florist, miss laura.
It was indeed there.
Just inside the door stood awide, shallow tray full of pots
and pink lilies.
No other kind, nothing butlilies, canna lilies, big pink
flowers, wide, radiant, almostfrighteningly alive, on bright
(11:38):
crimson stems.
Oh Sadie said Laura, and thesound was like a little moan.
She crouched down as if to warmherself at that blaze of lilies
.
She felt they were in herfingers, on her lips, growing in
her breast.
It's some mistake, she saidfaintly.
(11:58):
Nobody ever ordered so many.
Sadie Go and find Mother.
But at that moment Mrs Sheridanjoined them.
It's quite right, she saidcalmly.
Speaker 2 (12:10):
Yes, I ordered them, Aren't they lovely?
Speaker 1 (12:14):
She pressed Laura's arm.
Speaker 2 (12:16):
I was passing the shop yesterday and I saw them in
the window and I suddenlythought for once in my life I
shall have enough can of lilies.
The garden party would be agood excuse.
Speaker 1 (12:31):
But I thought you said you didn't mean to
interfere, said Laura Sadie hadgone.
The florist man was stilloutside at his van.
She put her arm around hermother's neck and gently, very
gently, she bit her mother's ear, my darling child.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
Wouldn't you like a logical mother, wouldn't you?
Would you?
Don't do that.
Here's the man.
He carried more lily steel,another whole tray Bank them up
just inside the door, on bothsides of the porch, please said
Mrs Sheridan.
Don't, you agree, Laura?
Speaker 1 (13:13):
Oh, I do mother oh, I do Mother In the drawing room
Meg Jose and a good little Hanshad at last succeeded in moving
the piano.
Speaker 2 (13:30):
Now, if we put this Chesterfield against the wall
and move everything out of theroom except the chairs, don't
you think Quite the wall andmove everything out of the room
except the chairs, don't youthink Quiet, Hans?
Move these tables into thesmoking room and bring the
sweeper to take these mocks offthe carpet.
Speaker 1 (13:45):
And one moment, Hans Jose loved giving orders to the
servants and they loved obeyingher.
The servants, and they lovedobeying her.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
She made them feel like they were taking part in
some drama.
Tell me Mother, Miss Laura,come here at once.
Tell Mother and Miss Laura tocome here at once.
Very good, Miss Jose.
Speaker 1 (14:12):
She turned to Meg.
I want to hear what the pianosounds like, just in case I'm
asked to sing this afternoon.
Let's try over.
This life is wearyPom-ta-ta-ta-ti-ta.
(14:32):
The piano burst out sopassionately that Jose's face
changed.
She clasped her hands.
She looked mournfully andenigmatically at her mother and
Laura as they came in.
This life is weary.
(14:53):
A tear, a sigh, a love thatchanges and then goodbye.
But at that word goodbye.
And although the piano soundedmore desperate than ever, her
face broke into a brilliant,dreadfully unsympathetic smile
aren't I good in voice, mummy?
(15:15):
She beamed.
This life is weary.
Hope comes to die.
A dream awakening.
But now Sadie interrupted them.
What is?
Speaker 2 (15:30):
it, Sadie, If you please.
Ma'am, Look, cook says you gotthe flags for the sandwiches.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
The flags for the sandwiches, Sadie echoed Mrs
Sheridan dreamily, and thechildren knew by her face that
she hadn't got them.
Speaker 2 (15:47):
Let me see.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
And she said to Sadie firmly tell Cook I'll have.
Speaker 2 (15:52):
I'll let her have them in 10 minutes.
Speaker 1 (15:56):
Sadie went Now Laura.
Now Laura said her motherquickly.
Speaker 2 (16:03):
Come with me into the smoking room.
I've got the names somewhere inthe back of an envelope.
You have to write them out forme.
Meg, go upstairs this minuteand take that wet thing off your
head.
Jose, run and finish dressingthis instant.
Do you hear me, children?
Or shall I have to tell yourfather when he comes home
tonight?
Speaker 1 (16:24):
and and jose, pacify, cook, if you do go into the
kitchen where you, I'm terrifiedof her this morning the
envelope was found at lastbehind the dining room clock,
though how it had got there, mrsSheridan could not imagine.
Speaker 2 (16:45):
One of you children must have stolen it out of my
bag, because I remember vividlycream cheese and lemon curd.
Have you done that?
Yes, big end.
Speaker 1 (16:56):
Mrs Sheridan held the envelope away from her.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
It looks like mice.
It can't be mice, can it?
Speaker 1 (17:04):
Olive pet said Laura looking over her shoulder.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
Yes, of course olive.
What a horrible combination.
It sounds egg and olive.
Speaker 1 (17:14):
They were finished at last and Laura took them off to
the kitchen.
She found Jose there pacifyingthe cook, who did not look at
all terrifying.
I have never seen suchexquisite sandwiches, said
Jose's rapturous voice.
How many kinds did you saythere were?
(17:35):
Cook Fifteen.
Speaker 2 (17:37):
Fifteen, Miss Jose.
Speaker 1 (17:40):
Well cook.
I congratulate you, Cook.
Swept up crusts with the longsandwich knife and smiled
broadly.
Gobblers have come announced toSadie issuing out of the pantry
, she had seen the man pass thewindow.
That meant the cream puffs hadcome.
(18:04):
Godbers were famous for theircream puffs.
Speaker 2 (18:08):
Nobody ever thought of making them at home.
Bring them in and I'll put themon the table.
Speaker 1 (18:11):
My girl ordered the cook, sadie brought them in and
went back to the door.
Of course, laura and Jose werefar too grown up to really care
about such things.
All the same, they couldn'thelp agreeing that the puffs
looked very attractive.
Very Cook began arranging them,shaking off the extra icing
(18:34):
sugar.
Don't they carry one back toall one's parties, said Laura.
I suppose they do, saidPractical Jose, I suppose they
do, said Practical Jose, whonever liked to be carried back.
They look beautifully, lightand feathery.
(18:54):
I must say have one each mydears.
Have one each my dears, saidthe cook in her comfortable
voice.
Speaker 2 (19:06):
Your mama won't know.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
Oh impossible, fancy cream puffs so soon after
breakfast.
The very idea made one shudder.
The very idea made one shudderAll the same.
Two minutes later, jose andLaura were licking their fingers
with that absorbed inward look,that only comes from whipped
cream.
Let's go to the garden out bythe back way, suggested Laura.
(19:33):
I want to see how the men aregetting on with the marquee.
They're such awfully nice men.
But the back door was blockedby Cook, sadie, goldberg's man,
and Hans.
Something had happened.
Tuck, tuck, tuck, clucked Cooklike an agitated hen.
Sadie had her hand clapped toher cheek as though she had a
(19:56):
toothache.
Hans' voice was screwed up inthe effort to understand.
Only Godber's man seemed to beenjoying himself.
It was his story.
Speaker 2 (20:09):
What's the matter?
What happened?
There's been a horribleaccident, said Cook, a man
killed A man killed.
Where, how, when?
Speaker 1 (20:18):
But Godber's man wasn't going to have his story
snatched from under his verynose.
Know those little cottages justbelow here, miss.
Know them.
Of course she knew them.
Of course, know them.
Of course she knew them.
Well, there's a young chapliving there named Scott, a
cotter.
His horse shied at the tractionengine corner of Hawk Street
(20:41):
this morning and he was thrownout on the back of his head,
killed Dead.
Laura stailed at Gobber's manDead.
When they picked him up, saidGobber's man with relish.
They were taking the body homeas I come up here.
And he said to the cook he'sleft a wife and five little ones
(21:03):
, jose, come here.
Laura caught hold of hersister's sleeve and dragged her
through the kitchen to the otherside of the green baize door.
There she paused and leanedagainst it.
Jose she said, horrified.
However, are we going to?
Speaker 2 (21:21):
stop everything.
Speaker 1 (21:23):
Stop everything, Laura cried Jose in astonishment
.
Speaker 2 (21:27):
What do you mean?
Speaker 1 (21:29):
Stop the garden party , of course.
Why did Jose pretend?
But Jose was still more amazed.
Speaker 2 (21:36):
Stop the garden party , my dear Laura, don't be so
absurd.
Speaker 1 (21:40):
Of course we can't do anything of the kind.
Nobody expects us to Don't beso extravagant, but we can't
possibly have a garden partywith a man dead just outside the
front gate.
That really was extravagant,for the little cottages were in
a lane to themselves at the verybottom of a steep rise that led
up to the house.
(22:00):
A broad road ran between.
True, they were far too near,they were the greatest possible
eyesore and they had no right tobe in that neighborhood at all.
They were little, meandwellings painted a chocolate
brown.
In the garden patches there wasnothing but cabbage stalks,
sick hens and tomato cans.
(22:21):
The very smoke coming out oftheir chimneys was
poverty-stricken little rags,shreds of smoke.
So, unlike the great silveryplumes that uncurled from the
Sheridan's chimneys, washerwomen lived in the lane and
sweeps and a cobbler and a manwhose house front was studded
all over with minute bird,minute bird cages.
(22:44):
Children swarmed.
When the sheridans were little,they were forbidden to set foot
there because of the revoltinglanguage and of what they might
catch.
But since they were grown up,laura and Laurie, on their prowl
, sometimes walked through.
It was disgusting and sordid.
(23:05):
They came out with a shudder.
But still, one must goeverywhere, one must see
everything.
So through they went and justthink of what the band would
sound like.
To that poor woman, said Laura,oh Laura.
Jose began to be seriouslyannoyed.
If you're going to stop a bandplaying every time someone has
(23:26):
an accident, you lead a verystrenuous life.
I'm every bit as sorry about itas you.
I feel sympathetic.
Her eyes hardened.
She looked at her sister justas she used to when they were
little and fighting together.
You won't bring a drunkenworkman back to life by being
sentimental, she said softly,drunk.
Who said he was drunk?
(23:47):
Laura turned furiously on Jose.
She said as they had used tosay on those occasions I'm going
straight up to tell Mother Do,dear cooed Jose, mother, can I
come sit in?
Can I come into your room?
Laura turned the big glassdoorknob.
Speaker 2 (24:06):
Of course, child.
Why, what's the matter?
What's given you such a color?
Speaker 1 (24:11):
And Mrs Sheridan turned from around her dressing
table.
She was trying on a new hat.
Mother, a man's been killed,began Laura, not in the garden,
interrupted her mother.
Speaker 2 (24:23):
Oh, no, oh, what a fright you gave me.
Speaker 1 (24:27):
Mrs Sheridan sighed with relief and took off the big
hat and held it on her knees.
But listen, mother, said Laura,breathless, half choked, she
told the dreadful story.
Of course we can't have ourgarden party, can we?
She pleaded the band andeverybody arriving they'll hear
(24:47):
us.
They're nearly neighbors.
To Laura's astonishment, hermother behaved just like Jose.
It was harder to bear becauseshe seemed amused.
She refused to take Lauraseriously.
Speaker 2 (25:01):
But, my dear child, use your common sense.
It's only by accident we'veheard of it.
If someone had died therenormally and I can't understand
how they keep alive in thosepokey little holes we should
still be having our party,shouldn't we?
Speaker 1 (25:19):
Laura had to say yes to that, but she felt it was all
wrong.
She sat down on her mother'ssofa and pinched the cushion for
real, mother, isn't it terriblyheartless of us.
Speaker 2 (25:35):
Piling.
Speaker 1 (25:37):
Mrs Sheridan got up and came over to her carrying
the hat.
Before Laura could stop her,she popped in.
My child said her mother.
Speaker 2 (25:46):
The hat is yours.
It's made for you.
It's much too young for me.
I have never seen you look sucha picture.
Look at yourself.
Speaker 1 (25:55):
She held up her hand mirror, but mother Laura began
again.
Speaker 2 (25:57):
She just couldn't Look at yourself.
She held up her hand mirror.
Speaker 1 (25:59):
But mother Laura began again.
She just couldn't look atherself.
She turned aside.
This time Miss Sheridan lostpatience, just as Jose had done.
You're being very absurd, laura.
She said coldly.
Speaker 2 (26:15):
People like that don't expect sacrifices from us
and it's not very sympathetic tospoil everybody's enjoyment as
you're doing now.
Speaker 1 (26:25):
I don't understand, said Laura, and she walked
quickly out of the room into herown bedroom.
There, quite by chance, thefirst thing she saw was this
charming girl in the mirror inher black hat trimmed with gold
daisies and a long black velvetribbon.
Never had she imagined shecould look like that.
(26:46):
Is mother right?
She thought, and now she hopedher mother was right.
Am I being extravagant?
Perhaps it was extravagant Justfor a moment.
She had another glimpse of thatpoor woman and those little
children and the body beingcarried into the house.
But it all seemed blurred,unreal, like a picture in the
(27:07):
newspaper.
I'll remember it again.
After the party's over, shedecided, and somehow that seemed
quite the best plan.
Lunch was over half past one.
By half past two they were allready for the fray.
The green-coated band hadarrived and was establishing in
a corner of the tennis court.
Speaker 2 (27:27):
My dear trilled Kitty Maitland aren't they two like
frogs for words?
Speaker 1 (27:34):
You ought to have arranged them around the pond
with the corridor in the middle.
On a leaf, laurie arrived andheld them on his way to dress.
At the sight of him, lauraremembered the accident again.
She wanted to tell him IfLaurie agreed with the others,
then it was bound to be allright, and she followed him into
the hall laurie hello he washalfway up the stairs, but when
(27:59):
he turned around and saw laura,he suddenly puffed out his
cheeks and goggled his eyes ather my word laura, you look
stunning, said laurie.
What an absolutely topping hat.
Laur, said faintly, is it?
And smiled up at Laurie anddidn't tell him after all.
Soon after that, people begancoming in streams.
(28:26):
The band struck up.
The hired waiters ran from thehouse to the marquee.
Wherever you looked there werecouples strolling, bending to
the flowers, greeting, moving onover the lawn.
They were like bright birdsthat had alighted in the
Sheridan's garden for this oneafternoon On their way to where.
(28:48):
Ah, what happiness it is to bewith people who are all happy to
press hands, press cheeks,smile into eyes.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
Darling, Laura, how well do you look?
What a becoming hat child.
Speaker 1 (29:02):
Laura, you look quite Spanish.
I've never seen you looking sostriking.
And Laura, glowing, answeredsoftly have you had tea?
Won't you have an ice?
Glowing answered softly haveyou had tea?
Won't you have an ice?
The passion fruit ices reallyare rather special.
She ran to her father andbegged him.
(29:23):
Daddy darling, can't the bandhave something to drink?
And the perfect afternoonslowly ripened, slowly faded.
Its petals closed.
Speaker 2 (29:34):
Never a more delightful garden party.
The greatest success Quite themost.
Speaker 1 (29:43):
Laura helped her mother with the goodbyes.
They stood side by side in theporch till it was all over.
Speaker 2 (29:50):
All over, all over, thank heaven said.
Speaker 1 (29:54):
Miss Sheridan.
Speaker 2 (29:57):
Round up the others.
Laura, let's go and have somefresh coffee.
I'm exhausted.
Yes, it's been very successful,but all these parties, these
parties, why will you childreninsist on giving parties?
Speaker 1 (30:09):
and they, all of them , sat down in the deserted
marquee have a sandwich, daddy.
Speaker 2 (30:17):
I wrote the flag.
Speaker 1 (30:20):
Thanks.
Mr Sheridan took a bite and thesandwich was gone.
He took another.
I suppose you didn't hear of abeastly accident that happened
today, he said.
My dear said Mr Sheridanholding up her hand.
We did.
Speaker 2 (30:36):
It nearly ruined the party.
Laura insisted we put it off.
Oh mother.
Speaker 1 (30:42):
Laura didn't want to be teased about it.
It was horrible all the samesaid, mr Sheridan, the chap was
married too.
Speaker 2 (30:52):
Lived just below the lane and leaves a wife and half
a dozen kitties.
So they say.
Speaker 1 (30:59):
An awkward little silence fell.
Mrs Sheridan fidgeted with hercup.
Really it was very tactless offather.
Suddenly she looked up.
There on the table were allthose sandwiches, cakes, puffs,
all uneaten, all going to bewasted.
Speaker 2 (31:15):
She had one of her brilliant ideas, I know she said
let's make up a basket and sendthat poor creature some of this
perfectly good food.
At any rate, it would be thegreatest treat for the children,
don't you agree?
And she's sure to haveneighbors calling in and so on.
What point to have it alreadyprepared, Laura.
Speaker 1 (31:41):
She jumped up.
Speaker 2 (31:42):
Give me the big basket out of the upstairs
cupboard.
Speaker 1 (31:46):
But mother, do you really think it's a good idea,
Said Laura Again how curious sheseemed to be different from
them all to take scraps fromtheir party?
Would the poor woman reallylike that?
Speaker 2 (32:00):
of course.
What's the matter with youtoday?
An hour or two ago, you wereinsisting on us being
sympathetic and now ran for thebasket.
Speaker 1 (32:10):
It was filled.
It was heaped by her mother.
Speaker 2 (32:14):
Take it yourself, darling.
She said Run down just as youare.
No wait, take the Arum liliestoo.
People of that class are soimpressed by Arum lilies.
The stems would ruin her lice,frock said Practical, who's
eight?
Speaker 1 (32:32):
So they would just in time.
Speaker 2 (32:36):
Only the basket, then , and Laura.
Speaker 1 (32:38):
Her mother followed her out.
The marquee Don't do anyaccount.
What mother?
No Better not put such ideas inthe child's head.
Nothing Run along.
It was just growing dusky.
As Laura shut the garden gates,a big dog ran by like a shadow.
(33:05):
The road gleamed white and downbelow the hollow the little
cottages were in deep shade.
How quiet it seemed after theafternoon.
Here she was going down thehill to somewhere where a man
lay dead.
She couldn't realize it.
(33:26):
Why couldn't she?
She stopped a minute and itseemed to her that kisses,
voices, tinkling spoons,laughter, the smell of crushed
grass were somehow inside her.
She had no room for anythingelse.
How strange.
She looked up at the pale skyand all she thought was yes, it
(33:47):
was the most successful party.
Now the broad road was crossed,the lane began smoky and and
dark.
Women in shawls and men's tweedcaps, hurried by men, hung over
the palings.
The children played in thedoorways.
A low hum came from the meanlittle cottages and some of them
(34:09):
.
There was a flicker of lightand a shadow crab-like moved
across the window.
Laura bent her head and hurriedon.
She wished now she had put on acoat how her frock shone, and
the big hat with the velvetstreamer.
If only it was another hat.
Were the people looking at her.
(34:30):
They must be.
It was a mistake to have come.
She knew all along it was amistake.
Should she go back even now, notoo late?
This was the house.
It must be A dark knot ofpeople stood outside, beside the
gate, an old, old woman with acrutch sat in a chair watching.
(34:50):
She had her feet on a newspaper.
The voices stopped as LauraJunier, the group parted.
It was as though she wasexpected, as though they had
known she was coming there.
Laura was terribly nervous,tossing the velvet ribbon over
her shoulder.
She said to a woman standing byIs this Mr Scott's house?
(35:13):
And the woman, smiling queerly,said it is my lass.
Oh, to be away from this.
She actually said Help me.
God, as she walked up the tinypath and knocked To be away from
those staring eyes or to becovered up in anything one of
those women's shawls even I'lljust leave the basket and go,
(35:34):
she decided.
I shan't even wait for it to becovered up in anything one of
those women's shawls even I'lljust leave the basket and go,
she decided.
I shan't even wait for it to beemptied.
Then the door opened.
A little woman in black showedin the gloom.
Laura said Are you, mrs Scott?
But to her horror the womananswered Walk in, please miss.
And she shut, was shut in thepassage.
(35:56):
No said Laura, I don't want tocome in, I only want to leave
the basket.
Mother sent the little woman inthe gloomy passage, seemed not
to have heard her.
Step this way, please miss.
She said in an oily voice, andLaura followed her.
She found herself in a wretchedlittle low kitchen lighted by a
(36:18):
smoky lamp.
There was a woman sittingbefore the fire.
Mm said the little creature wholet her in.
Mm it's a young lady.
She turned to Laura.
She said meaningly I'm hersister.
Speaker 2 (36:33):
miss, You'll excuse her, won't you.
Speaker 1 (36:36):
But of course, said Laura, please don't disturb her,
I only want to leave.
But at that moment the woman atthe fire turned around.
Her face puffed up, red, withswollen eyes and swollen lips,
looked terrible.
She seemed as though shecouldn't understand why Laura
(36:56):
was there.
What did it mean?
Why was this stranger standingin the kitchen with a basket?
What was it all about?
And the poor face puckered upagain.
It's all right, my dear, saidthe other.
I'll thank the young lady.
And again she began.
Speaker 2 (37:18):
You'll excuse her miss, I'm sure.
Speaker 1 (37:20):
And her face swollen too, tried an oily smile.
Laura only wanted to get out,to get away.
She was back in the passage.
The door opened.
She walked straight into thebedroom where the dead man was
laying.
You'd like to look at him,wouldn't you, said M's sister as
(37:40):
she brushed past Laura, overthe bed.
Don't be afraid, my lass.
And now her voice sounded fondand sly, and fondly she drew
down the sheet.
Speaker 2 (37:49):
He looks a picture.
There's nothing to show.
Come along, my dear.
Speaker 1 (37:53):
Laura came, there lay a young man fast asleep,
sleeping so soundly, so deeply,that he was far, far away from
them both.
Oh, so remote, so peaceful.
He was dreaming, never wake himup again.
His head was sunk in the pillow.
His eyes were closed.
They were blind.
Under the closed eyelids he wasgiven up to his dream.
(38:16):
What did garden parties andbaskets and lace frocks matter
to him?
He was far from all thosethings.
He was wonderful, beautiful.
While they were laughing andwhile the band was playing, this
marvel had come to the lane.
Happy, happy, all is well.
Said that sleeping face, thisis just as it should be.
(38:37):
I am content, but all the same,you had to cry.
And she couldn't go out of theroom without saying something to
him.
Laura gave a loud childish sobForgive my hat, she said, and
this time she didn't wait forM's sister.
She found her way out the door,down the path, past all those
(38:59):
dark people.
At the corner of the lane shemet Laurie.
He stepped out of the shadow.
Speaker 2 (39:04):
Is that you, laura?
Speaker 1 (39:06):
Yes, Mother was getting anxious.
Was it all right?
Yes, quite, oh, laurie.
She took his arm and pressed upagainst him "'I say, you're not
crying, are you' asked herbrother.
Laura shook her head.
She was Laurie, put his armaround her shoulder.
"'don't cry', he said in hiswarm, loving voice.
(39:26):
"'was it awful' "'No' sobbedLaura.
"'it was simply marvelous, butLaurie—' she stopped.
She looked at her brother.
Isn't life?
She stammered Isn't life.
But what life was?
She couldn't explain.
No matter, he quite understood.
Speaker 2 (39:46):
Isn't it, darling, said Laurie.
Speaker 1 (40:06):
This has been the Garden Party by Katherine
Mansfield.
This has been Ron Reads BoringBooks.
Please leave a five-star ratingand a positive review.
Please like and subscribe tothis podcast and share it with
your friends, thank you.
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