Home Lights and Shadows eBook

Timothy Shay Arthur
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 267 pages of information about Home Lights and Shadows.

Home Lights and Shadows eBook

Timothy Shay Arthur
This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 267 pages of information about Home Lights and Shadows.

The difference between Mrs. Lemmington and Mrs. Marygold was simply this.  The former had been familiar with what is called the best society from her earliest recollection, and being therefore, constantly in association with those looked upon as the upper class, knew nothing of the upstart self-estimation which is felt by certain weak ignorant persons, who by some accidental circumstance are elevated far above the condition into which they moved originally.  She could estimate true worth in humble garb as well as in velvet and rich satins.  She was one of those individuals who never pass an old and worthy domestic in the street without recognition, or stopping to make some kind inquiry—­one who never forgot a familiar face, or neglected to pass a kind word to even the humblest who possessed the merit of good principles.  As to Mrs. Marygold, notwithstanding her boast in regard to pedigree, there were not a few who could remember when her grandfather carried a pedlar’s pack on his back—­and an honest and worthy pedlar he was, saving his pence until they became pounds, and then relinquishing his peregrinating propensities, for the quieter life of a small shop-keeper.  His son, the father of Mrs. Marygold, while a boy had a pretty familiar acquaintance with low life.  But, as soon as his father gained the means to do so, he was put to school and furnished with a good education.  Long before he was of age, the old man had become a pretty large shipper; and when his son arrived at mature years, he took him into business as a partner.  In marrying, Mrs. Marygold’s father chose a young lady whose father, like his own, had grown rich by individual exertions.  This young lady had not a few false notions in regard to the true genteel, and these fell legitimately to the share of her eldest daughter, who, when she in turn came upon the stage of action, married into an old and what was called a highly respectable family, a circumstance that puffed her up to the full extent of her capacity to bear inflation.  There were few in the circle of her acquaintances who did not fully appreciate her, and smile at her weakness and false pride.  Mrs. Florence, to whom she had alluded in her conversation with Mrs. Lemmington, and who lived in Sycamore Row, was not only faultless in regard to family connections, but was esteemed in the most intelligent circles for her rich mental endowments and high moral principles.  Mrs. Harwood, also alluded to, was the daughter of an English barrister and wife of a highly distinguished professional man, and was besides richly endowed herself, morally and intellectually.  Although Mrs. Marygold was very fond of visiting them for the mere eclat of the thing, yet their company was scarcely more agreeable to her, than hers was to them, for there was little in common between them.  Still, they had to tolerate her, and did so with a good grace.

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Home Lights and Shadows from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.