"I can never,"said Mrs. Fetherel, "hear the bell ring without a shudder."Briefly, Mrs. Fetherel thinks that she has written a 'racy' first novel and is concerned, upon its publication, about its reception.
Her unruffled aspect - she was the kind of woman whose emotions never communicate themselves to her clothes - and the conventional background of the New York drawing room, with its pervading implication of an imminent tea tray and of an atmosphere in which the social functions have become purely reflex, lent to her declaration a relief not lost on her cousin Mrs. Clinch, who, from the other side of the fireplace, agreed, with a glance at the clock, that it was the hour for bores.
Sunday 20 February 2011
Sunday Snippet
The opening of Edith Wharton's Short Story 'Expiation' which sets the scene admirably.
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6 comments:
aguja - i'm trying to recall if i've read any of edith wharton's writing before. i know the name but i can't remember. this little taste has so many possibilities racing out of it!! steven
Oh, I like it! It's been ages since I read any Edith Wharton. One summer I read something like ten of her short stories and enjoyed them a lot. Her summer home (I think) is in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. I'm not sure if it's open to tourists.
Great snippet.
I haven't read any of Edith Wharton's work before, but I love the descriptions in this snippet!
i love this, the hour for bores! haha, great little snippet and sounds a wonderful read...thanks for sharing. xx
Great post! Love the idea of "racy" here! xo style, she wrote
Thank you all. I have continued reading these short stories and there is one 'Xingu' which is hilarious. She appeals to my sense of humour and has amazing ability when it comes to language.
Steven, if you have not tasted of her work, I recommend it as you enjoyed the snippet.
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