A Literary Disappointment

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A Literary Disappointment; { open }
Topic Started: Aug 30 2008, 11:08 PM (92 Views)
Eleanor Griffiths	Aug 30 2008, 11:08 PM Post #1
Posts: 6 Group: Pupils Member #5 Joined: Aug 20, 2008	When Eleanor had her first glimpse of the Pennington library, she was utterly delighted. Everywhere she looked, there were shelves and shelves crammed with books and there were even comfortable chairs to sit on and little tables for writing and putting your things on off to the side. Just the sight of all this reading material, all full of knowledge and information, was almost enough to make it worth leaving her home and family to be here. But after a closer look, she was more than a little disappointment. No matter how much she looked, there was nothing of interest to her. Eleanor much preferred the books in her father's study. Although it had been much smaller in size, he had an assortment of fascinating books on anatomy, pathophysiology, psychology, pharmacology, and even herbology - all subjects relating to his occupation as a physician. He even had other books he kept for interest's sake, such as those on zoology, astronomy, theology, and philosophy. But Pennington's library was full of stories, fiction, and other brainless books on how to host the perfect tea party or on embroidery and sewing. Perhaps these books might interest her younger sister, Elizabeth, but they were nothing to Eleanor. Nevertheless, Eleanor kept looking, refusing to give up. There had to be something amongst all these books, after all! Although it was a fine day outside, she had decided to keep to the library, walking through a random aisle in her skirts of white and pale rose, running her fingers along the spines of the books lined up neatly on the shelves, all lightly covered in dust. Obviously, housekeeping had yet to come by. In any case, she didn't mind. She just wanted to find a good book.
Posts: 6 Group: Pupils Member #5 Joined: Aug 20, 2008


Emeline Burgess	Aug 30 2008, 11:46 PM Post #2
Instructor - Social Sciences Posts: 5 Group: Instructors Member #13 Joined: Aug 30, 2008	Emeline walked through the library, also on the hunt for books. She wanted to know that there was something better out there than the small amount of books that they had. If things didn't get any better, she would have to request a shipment of books be brought in. Simply having books about being a proper lady was just unacceptable. As she walked through the library, she noticed that not too many people were there. The librarian was nowhere to be found, so Emeline simply shrugged. "I guess I'll help myself," she said softly in her high-pitched voice and walked about the comfortable area. As she continued to walk through, she noticed a girl glancing through the books as well. "Hello!" Emeline waved, and said a little bit louder than she intended to.



Eleanor Griffiths	Aug 31 2008, 12:34 AM Post #3
Posts: 6 Group: Pupils Member #5 Joined: Aug 20, 2008	A voice startled her from her thoughts, causing Eleanor to look away from a book entitled, "The Growth of the British Empire: A History" and towards a woman, obviously older and most likely a teacher. She was extraordinarly beautiful with a full hourglass figure and wonderful facial features (although, accented with too much make-up, in Eleanor's humble opinion). Still, it was enough to make Eleanor feel quite plain, even plainer than she usually felt beside her sister with her white skin and golden curls. Eleanor attempted to smooth her face over into something that was neutral and polite as she created a simple curtsy, ignoring the subtle marks left by her dusty fingers on the clean white cotton of her skirt. "Hello. I apologize. Am I in your way? Are you looking for anything in particular?" Straight to the point. No idle chit-chat. No beating around the bush with hidden meanings and secret messages. Although she knew many of the other aristocratic girls in Pennington preferred speaking in such a way, Eleanor was much more in favour of plain speech that was easy to understand. It meant less misunderstandings and made life so much easier. All the nothing-talk was meaningless.
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Emeline Burgess	Aug 31 2008, 01:38 AM Post #4
Instructor - Social Sciences Posts: 5 Group: Instructors Member #13 Joined: Aug 30, 2008	"Oh, no! You certainly aren't! I just wanted to get to know at least one of my possible students!" Emeline's voice was full of excitement, her hands clasped together happily. "...that is, if you are a student, aren't you?" Emeline's eyes widened in curiosity. "I really just came here to look through the books, to see if there was anything worth reading through, that's all. There are so many of these proper books that don't seem to help young women like ourselves to learn something about our world. I guess I'm going to have to speak with Amelia about getting a few more books in that are just as suitable for us as any of these fictions."



Annie Wilkes	Aug 31 2008, 03:29 AM Post #5
Posts: 12 Group: Pupils Member #12 Joined: Aug 29, 2008	At last Annie had found the library and she was in her own kind of heaven just by hiding away in a shelf of books. It smelled wonderfully good in here, old paper and rust and dust all wafting into one scent. One beautiful scent that excited Annie more than she could say. She had never seen such libraries at home and this one was fantastic. She didn't care what she found here. She just wanted to look more than ever and would be fully satisfied to find something to cope with in such a new place. She still felt terribly out of place in the whole country let alone the school. she was proud of her heritage of course but she couldn't help but feel that she stuck out like a sore thumb and everyone knew it too. She felt conscious of that though at the same time she knew she could never be able to blend in, not in a million years. Especially not for the snooty types like that Madeleine Conrad. She had been browsing a section, insistent on finding a perfect book when she heard the others. She kept quiet and didn't want to intrude. She would try so hard to be polite this time. She felt she had been too excited last time. She didn't know how to contain her excitement though. She couldn't help herself. No matter what she felt she had to make it known and being thrilled she coudn't hide. Especially when she had never met such fascinating ladies before in her life.
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Eleanor Griffiths	Aug 31 2008, 11:03 PM Post #6
Posts: 6 Group: Pupils Member #5 Joined: Aug 20, 2008	So she was a teacher, just as Eleanor has guessed. Still, her first impression of this woman was not really very teacher-like, what with her extravagent appearance and chipper voice. And another strange thing that caught Eleanor's attention was the fact that this woman had mentioned an Amelia - the headmistress? - as if they were friends who would talk about the library's book collection over afternoon tea or something. Putting such two women together, however, was difficult to do in her imagination. They were just so...different. Nevertheless, if this woman was a teacher, then Eleanor knew she deserved the utmost respect, despite her attitude or apperances. Again, she curtsied but this time made it somewhat deeper and respectful. "I apologize, I didn't know you were a teacher. My name is Eleanor Griffiths and, yes, I am a student here. I, too, was looking for something to read. To pass the time, you know. I was hoping the library would have something relating to biology or perhaps even philosophy but I suppose one wouldn't find them at a school for girls like Pennington." Eleanor mentioned this with a small sigh, although she regretted it. She didn't exactly want to criticize the school in front of a teacher and especially not one who might be close friends with the headmistress! So she quickly shook her head and added, "I suppose, though, that these might be interesting enough." Then, as an afterthought, she hazarded a question. "If...if you don't mind me asking, what do you teach, er, Miss...?" But just as she asked the question, Eleanor noticed movement in her peripheral vision and realized a girl was standing there, looking just a little awkward. "Ah, hello. Are we speaking too loudly and bothering you? Or are we in your way?"
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Emeline Burgess	Sep 1 2008, 01:23 AM Post #7
Instructor - Social Sciences Posts: 5 Group: Instructors Member #13 Joined: Aug 30, 2008	Emeline noticed a remarkable change in the young woman's behavior and demeanor when she announced that she was an instructor. Emeline simply smiled, and remained as kind as she had ever been. She didn't want to be suddenly seen as being less approachable due to her status as a staffer. The young woman, Eleanor, had made a rather off-the-collar comment about Pennington's book collection, one in which Emeline could only laugh at in agreement. "I would love to get more books in here like that. If it were up to me, there would be books about every subject. Knowledge is power, and I believe that we women are entitled to it, just as the menfolk are!" Emeline giggled. "My name is Miss Burgess, and I teach Social Sciences. Perhaps..." Before she was able to finish that sentence, she noticed another girl nearby. Emeline smiled at her as well, giving her a hearty "Hello!"



Annie Wilkes	Sep 1 2008, 03:59 AM Post #8
Posts: 12 Group: Pupils Member #12 Joined: Aug 29, 2008	Annie had been listening patiently, curious about the teacher but not just wanting to pop out of nowhere and scare them both. That would certainly not be polite and she was trying so hard to be just that. After all, she didn't want to be sent back home because of manners. She still had so much to explore here and wanted to take it all in as best as she could. At least these people seemed nice enough and not as stuck up as some of those other girls were. She felt she liked the atmosphere much better here most of all. Then again she was just happy to be in a library much less such an expansive library that this place was. She was still taking in the wonderful smells that she loved so much. If all she had in the world were books and food and maybe shelter, she would easily be pleased to the end of her days. "Oh, no it's all right. I just didn't want to burst into your conversation. Mother always said it was a terrible habit of mine...Oh, a teacher? THat's wonderful. You said you taught social sciences? I don't know much about it..but I'm sure you could get me learning somehow." She was babbling again and she knew it. She slowed down and took a deep breath before looking back at the teacher and the other student. "Oh, I'm Annie Wilkes. I'm from Boston and it's nice to meet you."
Posts: 12 Group: Pupils Member #12 Joined: Aug 29, 2008


Eleanor Griffiths	Sep 1 2008, 10:48 PM Post #9
Posts: 6 Group: Pupils Member #5 Joined: Aug 20, 2008	Eleanor couldn't help but smile as this Annie prattled on, but she controlled her smile to one that was gentle and calm. After all, she didn't want to embarrass the girl. Eleanor couldn't help but be reminded of a quickly flowing river - it went where it willed, uncontrolled, but still beautiful and charming in its own way. And to make this girl even more interesting was her background. She was clearly not English, judging from her accent, and her stating she was from Boston only confirmed Eleanor's suspicion. It was also clear that she was not one of the aristocratic and refined young ladies of the upper echelon of society. Her speech and actions were simple, raw, uncontrolled. Or perhaps it was just her American accent. In any case, Eleanor gave Annie a quick yet polite nod of her head. "Habits can be difficult to change. They often have deep psychological roots and it takes a strong will indeed to try to change the paritcularly bad ones. Your efforts are commended. My name is Eleanor Griffiths. Like many others, I'm from London, so I unfortunately cannot say something as interesting as coming from overseas." She said this with just a hint of humour, hoping the ease the girl's obvious feelings of awkwardness in such a situation. She then nodded towards Miss Burgess to acknowledge her presence and their previous conversation. Eleanor had thought she would be admonished for sure for criticizing the school library, but this woman surprised her yet again by agreeing with her. How different she was from her Aunt Hazel! Aunt Hazel would have given her a long speech about how such books would be good for her, better than her father's books, and would fill her head with appropriate subjects that all fine young ladies ought to know. Although she found Miss Burgress's giggling and perky attitude somewhat annoying, Eleanor quite liked this woman's ideas. "Miss Burgess and I were just talking about the books our school has filled the library with," Eleanor said with just a little disdainful tone in her voice. "I have searched the shelves for anything relating to biology or even a bit of philosophy but to no avail. Even a book on Socrates or psychology would be interesting enough for me to read because, really, I have no interest in...oh, I don't know...embroidery patterns."
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Emeline Burgess	Sep 2 2008, 01:42 AM Post #10
Instructor - Social Sciences Posts: 5 Group: Instructors Member #13 Joined: Aug 30, 2008	Emeline found this young woman most intriguing. She was from America? America was a place where so many of the women seemed to be a bit more frank in their emotions and behaviors, which was a big difference from the sneaky silence that the British were much more fond of. "I would be honored to, Miss Wilkes! And you certainly aren't barging into a conversation, your presence is always welcome! I find it nice to have kind people to speak to, as well as a new face!" Emeline giggled a little more when Eleanor spoke about the types of books. "Well, at least I know which books to try to get in here. I myself would like to see more books about the rest of the worlds and other types of thought besides the ones that I own."



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