Yes, Mama Quotes

“she could. Not only did Mrs Hunter wish to ingratiate herself with the ladies in her new neighbourhood, she was also very kind. Armed with a large bunch of grapes for the invalid, she ventured to call on Alicia. Not sure what to do with her, Polly took her upstairs to the cold, dusty drawing-room, and called Alicia. Alicia explained that her mother was indisposed and unable to receive visitors. She asked Polly to bring tea. Mrs Hunter stayed half an hour during which time Elizabeth wandered in to join them. Seeing a lady dressed in hat and gloves for visiting, Elizabeth automatically dropped into the role of hostess; it was obvious, however, that she could not keep track of the conversation. Alicia was embarrassed, but Mrs Hunter gave no hint that she realized that all was not well with Elizabeth. She told her amused husband afterwards, ‘I’ve never seen such a dismal house. Hasn’t bin painted in years. And it was that cold – no fire in the drawing-room! Can you believe it? And her poor mother’s out of her mind – non compos mentis. Between her Ma and her Pa, I don’t know how that girl stands it.’ Mr Hunter turned a page of his newspaper. ‘So you saw Mrs Woodman? And Woodman?’ ‘No. According to his daughter, he’s up and about, though. I saw him once, driving in the park.’ ‘Well, I’m glad I was wrong when I said you’d be snubbed,’ he responded. After her visit, Mrs Hunter always stopped to chat when she saw Alicia, and one day asked her to come in for tea. Alicia refused, but explained that it was not because she did not want to; she was simply so busy. She began to enjoy these small encounters with her”
― Helen Forrester, Yes, Mama