Enlightening Delilah

by Beaton, M. C.

  She sat down and pulled off her bonnet and flicked through the pile of post. Invitations to this and invitations to that. ‘We are still fashionable, Effy,’ said Amy. ‘Such a pity our career is in ruins.’

  ‘I do not wish to speak to you,’ sniffed Effy. ‘Liar and cheat.’

  ‘Do not prose on,’ said Amy. ‘Here’s a letter for you with a crest on it.’

  Effy fumbled in her bosom for her eyeglass, cracked open the seal and began to read.

  ‘It’s from Georgiana, Viscountess Clarendon,’ said Effy in a wondering voice. ‘She wants to hire us to school her daughter, Clarissa. ‘I do not know your fees, dear Effy,’ she writes, ‘but you may name your price.’

  ‘Hooray!’ shouted Amy, jumping up and down. She wrenched open the drawing-room door and called, ‘Champagne, Harris. At the double. Oh, Effy, we are in business again. Do not be so cross with me. If I had not pretended to be dying, then Delilah and Sir Charles might never have got together.’

  ‘We must go carefully,’ said Effy, ‘and not waste money on trifles.’

  ‘I agree,’ said Amy. ‘What a relief! We shall guard every penny from now on.’

  Harris brought in the champgane and the sisters toasted each other.

  ‘Of course,’ said Effy, ‘they are prepared to pay a lot of money. It is mortifying not to have any decent jewellery and I did see such a pretty little sapphire necklace in Rundell and Bridges last month. A mere trifle.’

  ‘Buy it!’ cried Amy, waving her hand and knocking over the champagne bottle.

  ‘How clumsy you are,’ said Effy. ‘What will our new charge think of us? The daughter of dainty little Georgiana. She will be a delicate fairy-like creature and not a great hulking brute like you, Amy. I admit you did very well with Delilah. But you must allow me to take this delicate creature in hand.’

  ‘As you will,’ said Amy sourly. ‘As you will.’