Of Night and Dark Obscurity

Stella caught Caroline’s eye and they shared a secret, brief smile at Prudence’s indignation.

“We all make choices in this life,” Victoria spoke quietly. “And it is a choice to sell one’s self to the highest bidder.”

Caroline turned to the dignified woman who looked very self-impressed, as she often did. “I must disagree. The need to keep shelter over one’s head and feed one’s family forces these women into the street. They are not educated; they don’t have husbands who care, so they do what they must. Let’s also not forget that they cater to men. Men who seem willing to spend a coin but do little else. They are not alone in their folly.”

Victoria said nothing but nodded.

“But let’s not get off course here,” Caroline tried to smooth over the conversation. “I started this sewing circle for companionship and conversation. I believe the time has come to find a solution, or discuss a possible solution to try to find a way to make a difference in some of these women’s lives.”

Stella placed her tea cup back in its saucer and spoke. “I think we might focus on schooling. Education is always an important aspect to rise in one’s station,” she said very confidently.

“Quite so,” Caroline agreed.

“Well I think we might teach needlework and sewing to the women so they can have a trade of sorts,” Gladys interjected.

“All great ideas,” Caroline nodded.

“What about a sort of dance for these women so that they can meet eligible men and eventually marry?” Cleo said. “That solves all the problems and then there will be no need to learn a trade or educate them.” She smiled at them all.

Caroline glanced over at her friend Prudence, and then beyond her line of vision she saw her grandmother who was seated before the fire. She had an odd smile upon her face as she returned her eyes to the scarf she was creating.

“Thank you, Cleo, and indeed everyone. You have come up with some excellent ideas all worthy of our attention. I think we should think on this and discuss at our next week’s circle,” Caroline said.

“An excellent suggestion,” Prudence nodded in approval.

Caroline smiled. “Let’s finish our tea and please help yourselves to the cookies Cook made. They are her special lavender cookies. She will tell no one her recipe not even my father.”

“Oh, your father!” Gladys smiled widely. “How is dear Hubert?”

Caroline moved to speak to Gladys about her father and his many lecture assignments at the medical college. She knew that the older woman was smitten with her father, having lost her own dear husband five years ago.

As they spoke the other women nodded to Caroline, thanked her for her hospitality and left. Finally, even Gladys departed leaving she and her grandmother alone.

“It’s impossible,” Caroline said falling into the chair opposite her grandmother.

Malvina smiled. “What did you expect? You invite a spinster, a ne’er do well, and the rest all may want to help but they have no understanding of the issue and no creativity.”

“So, I do nothing?” Caroline responded.

“Did I say that?” Her grandmother asked.

Caroline shook her head. “No. But you weren’t exactly supportive either.”

Malvina continued her stitches without stopping. “You don’t need my help nor my good wishes. In fact, my dear, if you’ll allow me, you don’t need them either.”

“The sewing circle? I don’t need their help?” Caroline asked confu

sed.

“Of course not. Your father dotes on you. He’s very proud of you. And he’s in a position to help. My advice…“

“Yes?” Caroline prompted.

“Decide what you want to do once and for all. Decide where you want to spend your financial and physical resources and then draw up a plan and discuss it with your father.”

“It’s that simple?”

Malvina shook her head. “No. There is nothing simple about this. You want to embark on some sort of social work and you think to change the world beginning with London, which is the home to an outstanding amount of four million people.”