Now I know why I found myself typing "learnt" for no reason I could recall. Mansfield's fault. Probably was commenting on the sports (mostly) blog I follow.
My reading mind quite capably providing the broad Kiwi accents for the household staff and Godber's tradesperson, along with a more 'refained' version for the family.
Regarding footnote 10: It just occurred to me that Jose's maudlin art song could be considered foreshadowing. "Life is Wee-ary...then goodbye!" if I recall correctly.
Otherwise, up to this point the story's been about a "perfect" day, with "golden" light, "nice" workmen, and a "sweet" hat, even before the lilies and sugar-coated cream puffs arrive.
Those doom-filled lyrics were going to be Jose's opportunity to show off her delicate artistic sensitivity for the guests. If she performs them under the new circumstances, even without flashing her "brilliant, dreadfully unsympathetic smile," it'll be a mockery.
(That said, I admit that I don't know whether or not I'd cancel the party. I can't even envision these people's porch and kitchen, let alone how close the Scotts' house is, how much traffic there's going to be up the hill, or how far the band music would carry. In my neighborhood today it would be unusual for one household to stop a party because someone a few houses away had died. But I don't know the culture Laura is in. Maybe the party could go on, but not that song.)
As my beloved Aunt Bert would have said, “Oy, such tsuris!”
Now I know why I found myself typing "learnt" for no reason I could recall. Mansfield's fault. Probably was commenting on the sports (mostly) blog I follow.
My reading mind quite capably providing the broad Kiwi accents for the household staff and Godber's tradesperson, along with a more 'refained' version for the family.
This is fun!
I love footnote 21 and 5 . I am really enjoying this . Happy weekend .
Regarding footnote 10: It just occurred to me that Jose's maudlin art song could be considered foreshadowing. "Life is Wee-ary...then goodbye!" if I recall correctly.
Otherwise, up to this point the story's been about a "perfect" day, with "golden" light, "nice" workmen, and a "sweet" hat, even before the lilies and sugar-coated cream puffs arrive.
Those doom-filled lyrics were going to be Jose's opportunity to show off her delicate artistic sensitivity for the guests. If she performs them under the new circumstances, even without flashing her "brilliant, dreadfully unsympathetic smile," it'll be a mockery.
(That said, I admit that I don't know whether or not I'd cancel the party. I can't even envision these people's porch and kitchen, let alone how close the Scotts' house is, how much traffic there's going to be up the hill, or how far the band music would carry. In my neighborhood today it would be unusual for one household to stop a party because someone a few houses away had died. But I don't know the culture Laura is in. Maybe the party could go on, but not that song.)
Very fine reading!