Cousin Prudence by Sarah Waldock Read Free Book Online

income, for the family lived frugally; and there was dear George’s income as well, not perhaps as large as Emma’s but sufficient to see that they might live in excellent style and comfortably with monies left over.  Emma considered it most ill-bred to discuss such things; but as Augusta Elton had brought the matter up she could hardly fault Prudence for making so fine a riposte. It was implicit in Mr Blenkinsop’s letter too that he expected his note of hand to be used to cover any expenses incurred on his daughter’s account too, but Emma was quite determined to emphasise her own fortune too.
    “Oh Pru, you routed her as successfully as Lord Wellington routed Boney at Waterloo!” she declared in delight as soon as Mrs Elton was out of earshot.
    Prudence frowned.
    “My governess taught me that it is vulgar to discuss money and to dwell upon it; are you certain I did right?  She angered me; her expressions of sympathy towards Uncle Henry were no such thing, and though I find myself sometimes out of charity with him for his assumptions, yet I love him well for his kindness to me.”
    “Mrs Elton IS vulgar ,” said Emma, “her father was some kind of cit I believe; and she considers that her moderate fortune gives her class.  You have fortune but your excellent governess has also taught you how to be a lady like your mother; and as your father desires only what is best for you, why then he is if not a gentleman in fact, I think then he is a gentleman in instinct and so your mother realised when she fell in love with him.  Your reference was exact enough and yet offhand enough not to be a vulgar dwelling upon your fortune.  Will your father advance you more funds if you do find yourself with your pockets to let?  It IS a matter which has to be addressed, I am afraid,” she added apologetically.
    “My father has written to his bank instructing them to permit me to draw upon his funds within it at my need up to a limit ,” said Prudence, “as I shall probably wish to purchase a horse to go hacking in the park and it is sensible to purchase one in London rather than bring my own riding horse all the way from Yorkshire. I am……” she paused, “I am permitted, if it will not offend you, to purchase anything that is necessary that would be an expense incurred that you would not have were you not so kind as to accompany me.”
    Emma kissed her.
    “Well in that spirit of generosity, we shall see how we do!” she said.  “And now we had better get these damp boys back before it rains again and we are all as wet as John’s stockings!”
     
     
    The wetting was duly avoided and the boys were smuggled up to their nursery maids who collaborated cheerfully over the matter of damp feet, though John was made to have a hot bath for his pains.  Such an activity never being popular with small boys it was born upon him forcibly that had he merely had one foot wet he might have got away with it but deliberate wetting of both brought its own consequences.
    “They are delightful children,” said Prudence wistfully, “I wish I might have had little brothers and sisters.”
    “Why, you are as close to being their aunt as may be ,” said Emma, “and they shall love you too!  And being cousins as they are my nephews and nieces, it is quite easy to hand them back when one is tired of them, as one may not so easily do with one’s own children; for though nursery maids take most of the burden of caring for them, mama is always the one needed at bedtime, or when they are ill I should think!  And missing our own mothers as we do, you and I will doubtless wish to be model mothers when it is our time, that our children have what we have lacked.”
    “There is much in what you say ,” said Prudence, much struck.  “Do you and Cousin George yet hope…..”
    Emma flushed.
    “Oh Pru! I am not quite sure yet!” she whispered “I was hoping to speak to Isabella as she is an experienced matron!”
    “Why then, it is the