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The Floating Press - Edith Van Dyne

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100 pages

English

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After Louisa May Alcott's Little Women proved to be a publishing sensation, other book purveyors sought out titles with similar appeal. The Aunt Jane's Nieces series was designed to hook young audiences who first fell for Alcott's work. In Aunt Jane's Nieces in Society, the girls make their debut among the affluent upper classes -- and find that high-society living is not all it's cracked up to be.

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Children's

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Publié par	The Floating Press
Date de parution	01 février 2014
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9781776530656
Langue	English

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0134€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

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AUNT JANE'S NIECES IN SOCIETY
* * *
EDITH VAN DYNE

*
Aunt Jane's Nieces in Society First published in 1910 Epub ISBN 978-1-77653-065-6 Also available: PDF ISBN 978-1-77653-066-3 © 2013 The Floating Press and its licensors. All rights reserved. While every effort has been used to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information contained in The Floating Press edition of this book, The Floating Press does not assume liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions in this book. The Floating Press does not accept responsibility for loss suffered as a result of reliance upon the accuracy or currency of information contained in this book. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment. Many suitcases look alike. Visit www.thefloatingpress.com
Contents
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Chapter I - Uncle John's Duty Chapter II - A Question of "Pull" Chapter III - Diana Chapter IV - The Three Nieces Chapter V - Preparing for the Plunge Chapter VI - The Fly in the Broth Chapter VII - The Hero Enters and Trouble Begins Chapter VIII - Opening the Campaign Chapter IX - The Von Taer Pearls Chapter X - Misled Chapter XI - The Brown Limousine Chapter XII - Fogerty Chapter XIII - Diana Revolts Chapter XIV - A Cool Encounter Chapter XV - A Bewildering Experience Chapter XVI - Madame Cerise, Custodian Chapter XVII - The Mystery Deepens Chapter XVIII - A Rift in the Clouds Chapter XIX - Politic Repentance Chapter XX - A Telephone Call Chapter XXI - The Unexpected Happens Chapter XXII - Gone Chapter XXIII - The Crisis Chapter XXIV - A Matter of Course
Chapter I - Uncle John's Duty
*
"You're not doing your duty by those girls, John Merrick!"
The gentleman at whom this assertion was flung in a rather angry tonedid not answer his sister-in-law. He sat gazing reflectively at thepattern in the rug and seemed neither startled nor annoyed. Mrs.Merrick, a pink-cheeked middle-aged lady attired in an elaborate morninggown, knitted her brows severely as she regarded the chubby little manopposite; then, suddenly remembering that the wrinkles might leave theirdreadful mark on her carefully rolled and massaged features, shebanished them with a pass of her ringed hand and sighed dismally.
"It would not have mattered especially had the poor children been leftin their original condition of friendless poverty," she said. "They werethen like a million other girls, content to struggle for a respectablelivelihood and a doubtful position in the lower stratas of socialcommunion. But you interfered. You came into their lives abruptly,appearing from those horrid Western wilds with an amazing accumulationof money and a demand that your three nieces become your special protégées . And what is the result?"
The little man looked up with a charming smile of good humored raillery.His keen gray eyes sparkled as mischievously as a schoolboy's. Softly herubbed the palms of his hands together, as if enjoying the situation.
"What is it, Martha, my dear? What is the result?" he asked.
"You've raised them from their lowly condition to a sphere in which theyreign as queens, the envy of all who know them. You've lavished yourmillions upon them unsparingly; they are not only presumptive heiressesbut already possessed of independent fortunes. Ah, you think you've beengenerous to these girls; don't you, John Merrick?" "Go on, Martha; goon."
"You've taken them abroad—you took my own daughter, John Merrick, andleft me at home!—you've lugged your three nieces to the mountains andcarried them to the seashore. You even encouraged them to enlist in anunseemly campaign to elect that young imbecile, Kenneth Forbes, and—"
"Oh, Martha, Martha! Get to the point, if you can. I'm going,presently."
"Not until you've heard me out. You've given your nieces every advantagein your power save one, and the neglect of that one thing renders futileall else you have accomplished."
Now, indeed, her listener seemed perplexed. He passed a hand over hisshiny bald head as if to stimulate thought and exorcise bewilderment.
"What is it, then? What have I neglected?" was his mild enquiry.
"To give those girls their proper standing in society."
He started; smiled; then looked grave.
"You're talking foolishly," he said. "Why, confound it, Martha, they'reas good girls as ever lived! They're highly respected, and—" "Sir, Irefer to Fashionable Society." The capitals indicate the impressivemanner in which Mrs. Merrick pronounced those words.
"I guess money makes folks fashionable; don't it, Martha?"
"No, indeed. How ignorant you are, John. Can you not understand thatthere is a cultured, aristocratic and exclusive Society in New York thatmillions will not enable one to gain entrée to?"
"Oh, is there? Then I'm helpless."
"You are not, sir."
"Eh? I thought you said—"
"Listen, John; and for heaven's sake try for once to be receptive. I amspeaking not only for the welfare of my daughter Louise but for Bethand Patricia. Your nieces are charming girls, all three. With theadvantages you have given them they may well become social celebrities."
"H-m-m. Would they be happier so?"
"Of course. Every true woman longs for social distinction, especially ifit seems difficult to acquire. Nothing is dearer to a girl's heart thanto win acceptance by the right social set. And New York society is themost exclusive in America."
"I'm afraid it will continue to exclude our girls, Martha."
"Not if you do your duty, John."
"That reminds me. What is your idea of my duty, Martha? You've beentalking in riddles, so far," he protested, shifting uneasily in hischair.
"Let me explain more concisely, then. Your millions, John Merrick, havemade you really famous, even in this wealthy metropolis. In the city andat your club you must meet with men who have the entrée to the mostdesirable social circles: men who might be induced to introduce yournieces to their families, whose endorsement would effect their properpresentation."
"Nonsense."
"It isn't nonsense at all."
"Then blamed if I know what you're driving at."
"You're very obtuse."
"I won't agree to that till I know what 'obtuse' means. See here,Martha; you say this social position, that the girls are so crazyfor—but they've never said anything to me about it—can't be bought.In the next breath you urge me to buy it. Phoo! You're a thoughtless,silly woman, Martha, and let your wild ambitions run away with yourcommon sense."
Mrs. Merrick sighed, but stubbornly maintained her position.
"I don't suggest 'buying' such people; not at all, John. It's what iscalled—ah—ah—'influence'; or, or—"
"Or 'pull.' 'Pull' is a better word, Martha. Do you imagine there's anyvalue in social position that can be acquired by 'pull'?"
"Of course. It has to be acquired some way—if one is not born to it. Asa matter of fact, Louise is entitled, through her connection with my family—"
"Pshaw, I knew your family, Martha," he interrupted. "An arrant lot ofhumbugs."
"John Merrick!"
"Don't get riled. It's the truth. I knew 'em. On her father's sideLouise has just as much to brag about—an' no more. We Merricks neveramounted to much, an' didn't hanker to trip the light fantastic inswell society. Once, though, when I was a boy, I had a cousin whospelled down the whole crowd at a spellin'-bee. We were quite proud ofhim then; but he went wrong after his triumph, poor fellow! and became abook agent. Now, Martha, I imagine this talk of yours is all hot air,and worked off on me not because the girls want society, but because youwant it for 'em. It's all your ambition, I'll bet a peanut."
"You misjudge me, as usual, John. I am urging a matter of simplejustice. Your nieces are lovely girls, fitted to shine in any sphere oflife," she continued, knowing his weak point and diplomaticallyfostering it. "Our girls have youth, accomplishments, money—everythingto fit them for social triumphs. The winter season is now approaching;the people are flocking back to town from their country homes;fashionable gaieties and notable events will soon hold full sway. Thedear girls are surely entitled to enjoy these things, don't you think?Aren't they worthy the best that life has to offer? And why shouldn'tthey enter society, if you do your full duty? Once get them properlyintroduced and they will be able to hold their own with perfect ease.Give me the credit for knowing these things, John, and try to help yournieces to attain their ambition."
"But is it their ambition?" he asked, doubtfully.
"They have not said so in words; but I can assure you it is theirambition, because all three are sensible, spirited, young women, wholive in this age and not the one you yourself knew a half century or soago."
Mr. Merrick sighed and rubbed his head again. Then he slowly rose.
"Mornin', Martha," he said, with a somewhat abstracted nod at hissister-in-law. "This is a new idea to me. I'll think it over."
Chapter II - A Question of "Pull"
*
John Merrick's face was not so cheery as usual as he made his way intothe city. This suggestion of Martha Merrick's regarding his inattentionto duty to his beloved nieces was no easy nut to crack.
He knew his sister-in-law to be a wordly-minded, frivolous woman, withmany trivial ambitions; but in this instance he had misgivings that shemight be right. What did he, John Merrick, know of select society? Apoor man, of humble origin, he had wandered into the infantile, embryoWest years ago and there amassed a fortune. When he retired and returnedto "civilization" he found his greatest reward In the discovery of threecharming nieces, all "as poor as Job's turkey" but struggling alongbravely, each in her individual characteristic way, and well worthytheir doting uncle's affectionate admiration. Mrs. Merrick had recitedsome of the advantages they had derived from the advent of this richrelative; but even she could not guess how devoted the man was to thewelfare of these three fortunate girls, nor how his kindly, simple heartresented the insinuation that he was neglecting anything that m