April 9, 2025 • 12 mins
Eight girls and their dog Timmy Loo take a summer break filled with cooking, self-discovery, and hilarious misadventures in this delightful vacation story. Discover hundreds of ad-free audiobooks, soothing sounds for sleep and meditation, and more—unwind and learn at www.adfreebooks.com!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Is in the public domain. Hilarious hospitality. The dinner table
was a surprise even to Missus Lennox. Although her own
table appointments were fastidiously correct, they had been supplemented by
Jesse's exquisite arrangement of flowers and by dainty dinner cards,
which Melicent had that morning painted in watercolor. The two
(00:24):
white winged angels, as the immaculate waitresses called each other,
stood like marble statues while the guests entered the room.
This brought Lady Pendard's Lordnun again into requisition as she
scanned Betty and Jesse, until, as they afterward declared, they
(00:44):
felt like wax works at the eden Mosay. Then the
fun began. The two waitresses, intent on doing their best,
were so careful and thoughtful that Missus Lennox grew more
and more dignified and important, as befitted the mistress of
such fine establishment. Hester and Marjory sent in most deliciously
(01:07):
cooked meals, which were faultlessly served by the expert waitresses.
Lady Pendered expatiated on the extreme delicacy of her daughter's
constitution and averred that Lady Lucy had absolutely no appetite
and ate literally nothing. This moved the apparently oblivious Betty
(01:28):
to offer Lady Lucy braised sweetbreads for the second time,
and as the fragile one helped herself bountifully, Jesse again
urged upon her the stuffed cucumbers, of which she again partook.
My child, My child, you will be ill, said Lady
Penderd in a real and well founded alarm. I don't
(01:51):
care if I am mamma, said the wilful Lady Lucy.
These American things are very good. Why don't we have
them at home? Tut tuk, my daughter. All the world knows.
Nothing can excel England's well spread boards. This America of yours,
she continued, turning to Missus Lennox is a most extraordinary place.
(02:14):
I've been here but a fortnight, and that I spent
in New York. Very awful town, isn't it. Do you
think so? Said Missus Lennox, politely noncommittal. Yes, indeed, it's
so sudden and unexpected one never knows what will happen next.
I'm rather fond of New York, said Missus Lennox. But
(02:35):
of course its homes are different from English country houses,
oh quite different. And the service is something atrocious. My
dear Miranda, you are to be congratulated on your establishment.
I haven't seen a decent lady's maid since I left
England until I reached here. That pretty Millicent of yours
(02:56):
is a treasure. Although inwardly convolve, Betty managed to control
her features, and by biting her lips achieved an expression
of intense agony, which was, however, better than laughing out loud.
Not so Jesse. The sudden mental picture of Millicent assisting
(03:17):
these ladies at their toilet was too much for her,
and with a smothering sound something between a chuckle and
a scream, she hurriedly retreated to the kitchen. What is it?
Cried Hester and Marjorie, seeing the waitress appear unexpectedly, and
almost in hysterics. But Jesse had a plucky determination of
(03:39):
her own, and without a word to the bewildered guest,
she pulled herself together, straightened her face to an expression
of demure propriety, and was back in the dining room
with her tray in less than two minutes. But the
ordeal was not yet over. When she returned, Lady Pendered
was still recounting Millicon's fees. Why really, said the English lady.
(04:03):
She crimped my fringe quite as well as Parkins does
at home, and my clothes were never brushed more neatly
Millicent brushing clothes. This was almost too much for Betty,
but not daring to glance at Jess, she went on
about her work, endeavoring not to listen to any further disclosures.
(04:25):
Yes she's not bad, drawled Lady Lucy. She darned a
bit of a rent in my lacepottice, and smiled amiably
when I asked her to do up my fine handkerchiefs.
Millicent as a laundress. The girls nearly broke down at this,
but Missus Lennox's clear, even voice speaking restored their calm. Surely,
(04:49):
if she could preserve her equanimity, they ought to do so.
Millicent is indeed a perfect servant, the hostess was saying.
But all my maids are I could and wish for
a better lot, Dear Missus Lennox, said the languid Lucy.
They do seem superior all except that frivolous parlor maid
(05:10):
of yours. We wouldn't like to have such a pretty
one at home, But then I have brothers. A heavy
portier at the end of the dining room waved convulsively
at this, and the two pretty parlor maids scurried away
to a distant room where she could enjoy the joke
(05:30):
with some of her fellow servants. Now, one of Hester's
greatest feats was the concoction of the Yorkshire pudding. It
was the real thing, and was a favorite dish at
the table on this occasion. Therefore, she fairly outdid herself,
and when it accompanied a very English looking joint to
(05:51):
the table, Lady Pendard's delight knew no bounds Yorkshire pudding.
She exclaimed, Ah, Miranda, you have an English cook. As
Missus Lennox was but very slightly acquainted with her coax,
she felt a trifle uncertain to their nationality. But she
(06:12):
was not easily disconcerted, and turned to Jesse. She said, indifferently,
my head cook is English? Is she not? Yes, Madame
replied Jesse, Hester is English, and my assistant cook what
is her name? But the sound of her own voice
(06:33):
had been too much for Jesse, and her wits deserted
her entirely. In a half dazed way, she realized that
Missus Lennox was asking her to name Marjorie, and quite
without her own volition, she replied mechanically the duchess, Madame.
What cried Lady Penderck, raising her eyeglass to look at
(06:55):
the luckless Jesse. But Betty came quickly to the rescue. Yes, Dutch, Madame,
she said, addressing Missus Lennox. The clerk's assistant is Dutch
and her name is Marjorie. So it is, said Missus Lennox, calmly,
I remember now, But really, dear Lady Pendard, in America,
(07:17):
one troubles one's self so little of these matters. I
rarely see my kitchen servants, and almost never have occasion
to call them by name. Wonderful system, said Lady Pendard,
appalled at this state of culinary perfection. As a mere
gratification of my curiosity, May I see your English cook?
(07:38):
I would be glad to interview one who can make
such a pudding as this, certainly, said Missus Lennox, though
not without some misgivings. Jesse summoned Hester to the dining room. Yes, Madame,
said Jesse, and flew into the kitchen. Oh, Hester, Lady
(08:00):
Pendard wants to interview you. You're to come in at
once if she'll nearly kill you. She's so funny, I mean,
but you be careful Hester, and don't laugh for anything,
trust me, said Hester, smoothing out her apron and straightening
her cap. Am I sent for, asked Marjorie. I don't care,
(08:21):
I'm going anyway. I won't. We kept out of the fun.
Jesse returned to the dining room, followed by Hester. After
hesitating a moment, Marjorie falled behind and stood modestly behind
her chief. These tidy and well favored cooks seemed to
rouse Lady Pendard's ire well, she exclaimed, I never saw
(08:42):
anything like it. Are you an English girl? Where are
you from Ingraham Ferris? Your ladyship, said Hester, dropping a
very British courtesy. How long have you been in America?
A matter of a year, your ladyship, with whom do
you live in Hingham Fair? That you learned to cook
so well with the Lavendrecks, your ladyship a grand family,
(09:06):
and most Hex acting with another courtesy. Esther was gone,
and Marjorie too for. With Jessie and Betty looking at them,
they felt sure they couldn't keep from laughing another moment.
It's most extraordinary, said Lady Pendard, not only that you
should have such capable and well trained servants, but that
they should be all pretty and neat young girls. I
(09:29):
trust my servants are always tidy, said Missus Lennox with
great dignity, and then she resolutely changed the subject and
forced the conversation into other channels. After dinner, the ladies
went for a stroll on the beach, Milicent and Helen
uncompanying them, carrying veils, wraps, purses and other impedimenta. The
(09:52):
rest of the club members were much annoyed that the
two girls had to go, for they had planned to
have a hilarious dinner of their own after the more
formal meal was over, but the two ladies maids declared
that they wanted to go, saying it was great fun
to attend on the high bred foreigners, and the fund
was greatly increased. When on reaching the pavilion they met
(10:15):
Uncle Ned and Aunt Molly. Missus Lennox greeted these delightful
people and presented them to her guests. The lady's maids
sat demurely, unobtrusive, a little apart from the group, but
not out of range of Uncle Ned's merry eyes, which
twinkled and winked at them whenever opportunity offered. Those are
(10:37):
uncommonly pretty attendants you have, Missus Lennox, said Uncle Ned
in a stage whisper. But Aunt Molly pulled his coat
tail furtively and said, how beautiful the sea is to night. Meantime,
Missus Lennox's usually quiet and dignified home was the scene
of wonderful hilarity. Jesse and Betty were recounting all the
(11:01):
details of the dinner at which they had served so successfully.
Marguerite confessed that she and Nan had basely spied from
behind the poortierras Hester and Marjorie owned up that their
owned ice pudding had failed to freeze properly and they
had had to send Helen to the confectioneries for ices,
(11:24):
But all agreed that Missus Lennox was a deer and
that they were glad of the opportunity to help her
in time of need. Not realizing how fast the time
was fine, they gathered into the music room and Marguerite
played on Missus Lennox's grand piano while they all sang
their favorite songs lustily. And with a will now cried Marguerite,
(11:45):
in honor of our distinguished English guests and our far
more distinguished English cook, we will sing rule Britannia at it.
They went pell mell and as the chorus rose high,
and the beach party returned and entered the front door,
to be greeted by the assurance that Britain's never, never,
(12:08):
never should be slaves. End of chapter fifteen.
Is in the public domain. Hilarious hospitality. The dinner table
was a surprise even to Missus Lennox. Although her own
table appointments were fastidiously correct, they had been supplemented by
Jesse's exquisite arrangement of flowers and by dainty dinner cards,
which Melicent had that morning painted in watercolor. The two
(00:24):
white winged angels, as the immaculate waitresses called each other,
stood like marble statues while the guests entered the room.
This brought Lady Pendard's Lordnun again into requisition as she
scanned Betty and Jesse, until, as they afterward declared, they
(00:44):
felt like wax works at the eden Mosay. Then the
fun began. The two waitresses, intent on doing their best,
were so careful and thoughtful that Missus Lennox grew more
and more dignified and important, as befitted the mistress of
such fine establishment. Hester and Marjory sent in most deliciously
(01:07):
cooked meals, which were faultlessly served by the expert waitresses.
Lady Pendered expatiated on the extreme delicacy of her daughter's
constitution and averred that Lady Lucy had absolutely no appetite
and ate literally nothing. This moved the apparently oblivious Betty
(01:28):
to offer Lady Lucy braised sweetbreads for the second time,
and as the fragile one helped herself bountifully, Jesse again
urged upon her the stuffed cucumbers, of which she again partook.
My child, My child, you will be ill, said Lady
Penderd in a real and well founded alarm. I don't
(01:51):
care if I am mamma, said the wilful Lady Lucy.
These American things are very good. Why don't we have
them at home? Tut tuk, my daughter. All the world knows.
Nothing can excel England's well spread boards. This America of yours,
she continued, turning to Missus Lennox is a most extraordinary place.
(02:14):
I've been here but a fortnight, and that I spent
in New York. Very awful town, isn't it. Do you
think so? Said Missus Lennox, politely noncommittal. Yes, indeed, it's
so sudden and unexpected one never knows what will happen next.
I'm rather fond of New York, said Missus Lennox. But
(02:35):
of course its homes are different from English country houses,
oh quite different. And the service is something atrocious. My
dear Miranda, you are to be congratulated on your establishment.
I haven't seen a decent lady's maid since I left
England until I reached here. That pretty Millicent of yours
(02:56):
is a treasure. Although inwardly convolve, Betty managed to control
her features, and by biting her lips achieved an expression
of intense agony, which was, however, better than laughing out loud.
Not so Jesse. The sudden mental picture of Millicent assisting
(03:17):
these ladies at their toilet was too much for her,
and with a smothering sound something between a chuckle and
a scream, she hurriedly retreated to the kitchen. What is it?
Cried Hester and Marjorie, seeing the waitress appear unexpectedly, and
almost in hysterics. But Jesse had a plucky determination of
(03:39):
her own, and without a word to the bewildered guest,
she pulled herself together, straightened her face to an expression
of demure propriety, and was back in the dining room
with her tray in less than two minutes. But the
ordeal was not yet over. When she returned, Lady Pendered
was still recounting Millicon's fees. Why really, said the English lady.
(04:03):
She crimped my fringe quite as well as Parkins does
at home, and my clothes were never brushed more neatly
Millicent brushing clothes. This was almost too much for Betty,
but not daring to glance at Jess, she went on
about her work, endeavoring not to listen to any further disclosures.
(04:25):
Yes she's not bad, drawled Lady Lucy. She darned a
bit of a rent in my lacepottice, and smiled amiably
when I asked her to do up my fine handkerchiefs.
Millicent as a laundress. The girls nearly broke down at this,
but Missus Lennox's clear, even voice speaking restored their calm. Surely,
(04:49):
if she could preserve her equanimity, they ought to do so.
Millicent is indeed a perfect servant, the hostess was saying.
But all my maids are I could and wish for
a better lot, Dear Missus Lennox, said the languid Lucy.
They do seem superior all except that frivolous parlor maid
(05:10):
of yours. We wouldn't like to have such a pretty
one at home, But then I have brothers. A heavy
portier at the end of the dining room waved convulsively
at this, and the two pretty parlor maids scurried away
to a distant room where she could enjoy the joke
(05:30):
with some of her fellow servants. Now, one of Hester's
greatest feats was the concoction of the Yorkshire pudding. It
was the real thing, and was a favorite dish at
the table on this occasion. Therefore, she fairly outdid herself,
and when it accompanied a very English looking joint to
(05:51):
the table, Lady Pendard's delight knew no bounds Yorkshire pudding.
She exclaimed, Ah, Miranda, you have an English cook. As
Missus Lennox was but very slightly acquainted with her coax,
she felt a trifle uncertain to their nationality. But she
(06:12):
was not easily disconcerted, and turned to Jesse. She said, indifferently,
my head cook is English? Is she not? Yes, Madame
replied Jesse, Hester is English, and my assistant cook what
is her name? But the sound of her own voice
(06:33):
had been too much for Jesse, and her wits deserted
her entirely. In a half dazed way, she realized that
Missus Lennox was asking her to name Marjorie, and quite
without her own volition, she replied mechanically the duchess, Madame.
What cried Lady Penderck, raising her eyeglass to look at
(06:55):
the luckless Jesse. But Betty came quickly to the rescue. Yes, Dutch, Madame,
she said, addressing Missus Lennox. The clerk's assistant is Dutch
and her name is Marjorie. So it is, said Missus Lennox, calmly,
I remember now, But really, dear Lady Pendard, in America,
(07:17):
one troubles one's self so little of these matters. I
rarely see my kitchen servants, and almost never have occasion
to call them by name. Wonderful system, said Lady Pendard,
appalled at this state of culinary perfection. As a mere
gratification of my curiosity, May I see your English cook?
(07:38):
I would be glad to interview one who can make
such a pudding as this, certainly, said Missus Lennox, though
not without some misgivings. Jesse summoned Hester to the dining room. Yes, Madame,
said Jesse, and flew into the kitchen. Oh, Hester, Lady
(08:00):
Pendard wants to interview you. You're to come in at
once if she'll nearly kill you. She's so funny, I mean,
but you be careful Hester, and don't laugh for anything,
trust me, said Hester, smoothing out her apron and straightening
her cap. Am I sent for, asked Marjorie. I don't care,
(08:21):
I'm going anyway. I won't. We kept out of the fun.
Jesse returned to the dining room, followed by Hester. After
hesitating a moment, Marjorie falled behind and stood modestly behind
her chief. These tidy and well favored cooks seemed to
rouse Lady Pendard's ire well, she exclaimed, I never saw
(08:42):
anything like it. Are you an English girl? Where are
you from Ingraham Ferris? Your ladyship, said Hester, dropping a
very British courtesy. How long have you been in America?
A matter of a year, your ladyship, with whom do
you live in Hingham Fair? That you learned to cook
so well with the Lavendrecks, your ladyship a grand family,
(09:06):
and most Hex acting with another courtesy. Esther was gone,
and Marjorie too for. With Jessie and Betty looking at them,
they felt sure they couldn't keep from laughing another moment.
It's most extraordinary, said Lady Pendard, not only that you
should have such capable and well trained servants, but that
they should be all pretty and neat young girls. I
(09:29):
trust my servants are always tidy, said Missus Lennox with
great dignity, and then she resolutely changed the subject and
forced the conversation into other channels. After dinner, the ladies
went for a stroll on the beach, Milicent and Helen
uncompanying them, carrying veils, wraps, purses and other impedimenta. The
(09:52):
rest of the club members were much annoyed that the
two girls had to go, for they had planned to
have a hilarious dinner of their own after the more
formal meal was over, but the two ladies maids declared
that they wanted to go, saying it was great fun
to attend on the high bred foreigners, and the fund
was greatly increased. When on reaching the pavilion they met
(10:15):
Uncle Ned and Aunt Molly. Missus Lennox greeted these delightful
people and presented them to her guests. The lady's maids
sat demurely, unobtrusive, a little apart from the group, but
not out of range of Uncle Ned's merry eyes, which
twinkled and winked at them whenever opportunity offered. Those are
(10:37):
uncommonly pretty attendants you have, Missus Lennox, said Uncle Ned
in a stage whisper. But Aunt Molly pulled his coat
tail furtively and said, how beautiful the sea is to night. Meantime,
Missus Lennox's usually quiet and dignified home was the scene
of wonderful hilarity. Jesse and Betty were recounting all the
(11:01):
details of the dinner at which they had served so successfully.
Marguerite confessed that she and Nan had basely spied from
behind the poortierras Hester and Marjorie owned up that their
owned ice pudding had failed to freeze properly and they
had had to send Helen to the confectioneries for ices,
(11:24):
But all agreed that Missus Lennox was a deer and
that they were glad of the opportunity to help her
in time of need. Not realizing how fast the time
was fine, they gathered into the music room and Marguerite
played on Missus Lennox's grand piano while they all sang
their favorite songs lustily. And with a will now cried Marguerite,
(11:45):
in honor of our distinguished English guests and our far
more distinguished English cook, we will sing rule Britannia at it.
They went pell mell and as the chorus rose high,
and the beach party returned and entered the front door,
to be greeted by the assurance that Britain's never, never,
(12:08):
never should be slaves. End of chapter fifteen.
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