Punch's Cousin, Chapter 208

Robert lit the wick of a crystal lamp and squinted as the flame grew. He looked around the room and sighed. “It’s not bad.”


“Not bad.” Mr. Punch frowned, sitting on the bed in the drafty hotel room. The baby snuggled into his lap. “But, it ain’t so good neither.”

“It’s one of the better hotels.” Robert shrugged. “Well, one of the better hotels that wouldn’t question why two men with no baggage and a child have checked in.”

“I’m sure they’ve seen far stranger things here than us.” Mr. Punch said, hugging the child. “I miss me dog and me puppet. And, Adrienne and Cecil and Meridian.”

“We’ll all be reunited, soon.” Robert smiled. “This was our only option.”

“Oh, I ain’t complainin’.” Mr. Punch nodded, “I’ll do whatever we need to do to make sure that this boy gets what he needs.”

“I know you will.” Robert answered, pausing when he heard a faint knock at the door.

He hurried to open it, knowing who was on the other side.

Marjani rushed in. “I had such a time gettin’ in here.” Marjani chuckled.

“How’d you manage it?” Robert asked.

“Came in through the kitchen. Tol’ ‘em I was there for to clean up. That the manager jus’ brought me on. When they weren’t lookin’, I crept up here. Thought I’d have to scrub pots for awhile.”

“Coo, you are somethin’.” Mr. Punch whooped. “That’s the way to do it.”

“I done brought some things.” Marjani said, setting her basket on the table. “I got milk, apples, biscuits and some carrots. Thought I could make somethin’ for little Colin to eat.”

“You’re too much,” Robert smiled. “What would we do without you?”

“You don’t never got to find out,” Marjani nodded. “Now, I done went back to the house and tol’ Mrs. Adrienne and Mr. Cecil what we’re about. Mrs. Adrienne’s gonna get out here soon as she can without Mr. Cage seein.”

“Has he still got the house being watched?” Mr. Punch asked.

“Sure he does.” Marjani chuckled. “I spotted at least four men out there. One of ‘em followed me when I went to get the milk, but I lost him.”

“Thank you, Marjani.” Punch sighed. “Thank you very much for all what you done. For havin’ this idea and all.”

“Well, we had to do somethin’ to protect this boy.” Marjani smiled. “Ya’ll done missed the ship. Gotta wait ‘til the next one’s ready to depart, but that ain’t gonna be awhile. You two are gonna have to make a comfortable place for the baby here where he ain’t gonna be spotted. Meanwhile, I’ll bring your things here little-by-little. I’m sure Charles will help ne. We can do it without no one noticin’.”

“Any sign of Charles at home?” Robert asked.

“No, Dr. Halifax, there wasn’t. I reckon he’s still comfortin’ Miss Allen. Seems to me she’s got him in her sway, that one.”

“Oh, I’m sure she does. Our sister has a way with valets.” Mr. Punch grumbled.

“Can’t help but feel a little sorry for the girl.” Marjani sighed. “Even if I don’t want to. She done lost her mama and her daddy. Her husband’s disappeared and she had to give up her baby. What’s she got?”

“She’s got the life what she made for herself.” Mr. Punch answered.

“I know,” Marjani shrugged her shoulders. “But, it’s still sad.”

“It is.” Mr. Punch nodded. “It’s tragic, it is. I hate that it’s what’s become of her. Julian tried, he did, to make her life different. He tried to give her a sense of pride in herself, but she was too much Fallbridge and not ‘nough Molliner.”

“I do hope she can find something of joy in her life,” Robert added sincerely. “She and I have never been what you’d call ‘friends,’ but I don’t wish her ill.”

“Maybe the Holy Mother will look after her.” Marjani smiled. “I’ll ask her to.”

“You’re kind,” Robert grinned.

“No, Sir, just honest.” Marjani shrugged again.

Meanwhile, Barbara and Charles sat on a bench in Jackson Square—out in the open, yet shrouded by the darkness. Charles kept his arm around Barbara as she sobbed into his shoulder.

“I’m sorry, Miss Allen,” Charles said. “But, you must realize it’s for the best.”

“Must I?” Barbara moaned. “Do you know what it’s like to have your child ripped from your arms?”

“I do.” Charles nodded.

Barbara lifted her head and cast her bleary eyes on Charles’ face.

“I was married once.” Charles said. “My wife and child were killed.”

“How?” Barbara sniffed.

“I don’t wish to discuss it presently,” Charles shook his head. “Perhaps another time.”

“I’m sorry,” Barbara said, putting her head back on Charles’ shoulder.

“So am I.” Charles whispered.

A flash of fiery orange and blue in front of them in the dark startled Charles and as his eyes adjusted, he realized that Ulrika Rittenhouse was approaching them.

“Ah, Barbara,” Ulrika hissed. “Arthur’s barely out to sea, and you’ve already found another pair of arms to comfort you.”

“Go away, Ulrika.” Barbara said, without looking up.

“Who’s watching your baby?” Ulrika grinned. “Have you found an au pair already? However can you afford it on your wages? You do receive wages, don’t you? What is your profession these days? Are you still a whore or have you moved on to light housework and occasional kidnapping?”

“Miss Rittenhouse,” Charles said, “Can’t you see that Miss Allen is heartbroken? I’m going to have to ask you to move along, please.”

“I’ll move along,” Ulrika nodded. “But, I can’t guarantee that my associate will be as cooperative.”

From the shadows, Iolanthe Evangeline revealed herself.

“We had an arrangement, Barbara.” Iolanthe hissed. “I don’t take kindly to people breaking promises to me. And, I don’t want you thinkin’ that I do.”



Did you miss Chapters 1-207? If so, you can read them here.

Goal for the Day: Build Yourself Up

We exercise our bodies so that we’ll look and feel our best, but how often do we exercise our minds and spirits? Through the daily drudgery, we often find ourselves focusing only on what’s directly in front of us. It’s necessity more than it is anything else. However, our thoughts and emotions need stretching, too.


Take a few minutes today to examine how you’re really doing? Are you content? Are you at peace? If something is lacking in your life, try to identify it, so that you can feed your hungry mind and soul. Remember to nourish yourself with peaceful thoughts and information that pleases you. By continually building yourself up, you’ll find that your mind and body will work in perfect harmony.

Object of the Day: An Antique French Portrait

This beautifully rendered portrait was found, unframed in a Dallas antique store. Signed M. Antoine, the painting has all the hallmarks of late Nineteenth Century portraiture which often relied on Classical themes.

Here in startling vivid colors, we see the visage of a young woman—her blonde hair bound in a ribbon which elicits images of ancient Rome. She’s dressed in a simple, embroidered robe. Seen in profile, she is at once both dignified and vulnerable. She gazes ahead with her mouth set in determination and a playful look in her eye.

I can’t really find anything about the identity of the artist. Several painters of the era have combinations of “M” and “Antoine” in their names. Regardless, the artist’s hand and personality are forever preserved in this charming portrait.

Film of the Week: A Place in the Sun, 1951

When George Stevens suggested to Paramount Pictures that he wanted to direct a film version of the 1925 Theodore Dreiser novel, An American Tragedy (which had also been adapted into a play of the same name by Patrick Kearney), they swiftly disapproved the idea on the grounds that the studio had already produced an adaptation of the property. Stevens, relatively new to Paramount fumed that he was unable to direct the picture (that he knew would be a tremendous success) and was forced to sue the studio. Stevens was triumphant, as, thankfully for Paramount, so was A Place in the Sun—the title Stevens gave to this screen version.

Paramount Pictures

The story concerns the pursuit of the “American Dream.” Here, it has been updated from the 1920’s to post-war America and tells the tale of a handsome, intelligent young man, George Eastman, who has struggled against poverty his entire life. George dreams of “the good life.” To him, this means a beautiful wife and wealth. He entreats a wealthy uncle to employ him and ends up with a job in the family factory where he encounters a shy, plain young woman named Alice.

Paramount Pictures

George is bored and restless—filled with youthful energy and passion. To pass the time, he engages in a flirtation with Alice despite the company policy against fraternizing with the factory girls. Through George’s hard work, he garners the attention of his uncle and finds himself introduced to the lifestyle about which he’d always dreamed. At a swanky party, he meets a dazzling debutante—Angela Vickers. George falls madly and instantly in love with Angela and vows that they will be together. However, the cost of his love will be more than he had imagined. When Alice announces that she’s carrying George’s child, the young man’s thoughts turn quickly toward finding a speedy means of erasing his problems without Angela’s knowledge.

Clift and Taylor enjoyed each others company
both on and off set.
Paramount Pictures

George Stevens was quick to cast twenty-nine-year -old Montgomery Clift as George Eastman. Clift had already had success in films and showed that he was a versatile and sensitive performer. For the key role of Angela Vickers, Stevens selected a seventeen-year-old Elizabeth Taylor. Taylor had only starred in family films. “Angela” would be her first adult role and she proved that she was more than up to the task. With her striking features and clad in Edith Head’s chic, yet virginal wardrobe, Taylor showed that she was ready to work with a leading man who wasn’t a horse or a dog. She and Clift developed a deep friendship during this period which would last until his premature death at the age of forty-five.

Stevens had a bigger task in casting the role of “Alice.” Shelley Winters—known for her platinum locks and glamour girl ways—was interested in the role, but Stevens deemed her to be too much of a beauty for the part. By dying her hair brown, dressing in frumpy clothes and acting shy and reserved, Winters was able to fool Stevens when he arrived to meet her. Upon finally recognizing her, he agreed to test her for the part. Thus began a new chapter in Winters’ career and the first of what seems like many movies in which she drowns.

Everything from the costumes and Franz Waxman’s famously haunting score work harmoniously in this glorious film which is punctuated with long, slow dissolves, and deep, loving close-ups. It’s part art-film and part love story with a lot of tragedy thrown in. The centerpiece of it all are the performances of the three main characters. Winters is surprisingly convincing as dull, whiny Alice while Taylor gives the first truly good performance of her career. Clift, as always, is appropriately tense and completely absorbed in his character. Plus, Clift and Taylor are just so darn pretty that it’s hard to resist the picture.

This is the ideal 1950’s film and is sure not to disappoint.

Humanitarian of the Week: Jenna Elfman

Jenna Elfman

Through her work in television and in films, Jenna Elfman has made us laugh and kept us entertained since she began her career as an actor in 1990. However, Miss Elfman has also been making us think for as long as she’s been in the public eye.

Jenna Elfman, in addition to her two full-time careers as a wife/mother and an actress, has a third occupation—fighting for the rights of people and animals. Applauded for her philanthropic efforts as often as she is her excellent comic timing, Jenna Elfman is a patron of numerous charities which touch her heart. She has long supported youth and education programs and has dedicated her time and efforts to these causes.

Miss Elfman is a staunch supporter of criminal rehabilitation and has tirelessly assisted efforts to create programs which will allow former inmates a chance to start new and better lives after leaving prison.

Her generous spirit does not end with humans. Miss Elfman is a longtime champion of animal rights as well—donating her energies to helping The Human Society of the United States raise funds to rescue the nation’s abandoned or abused animals through television appearances and a variety of charitable events.

For all of the joy that she’s brought to the hearts of many a creature, Jenna Elfman is our “Humanitarian of the Week.”

Her Majesty’s Furniture: A Chippendale Dressing Table, 1762

Dressing Table
Thomas Chippendale, 1762
The Lady Lever Art Gallery
Liverpool

Furnishing such as this Chinese-inspired Rococo piece grace the Royal residences—many of which are decorated in a modified Rococo style. This particular piece is the work of Thomas Chippendale—perhaps the most celebrated name in English furniture design.


When Chippendale first arrived in London from Yorkshire in the 1750’s, he came without any connections or opportunities and made a name for himself by publishing catalogs of his designs. By the third edition of this publication, he had already built several of the example designs that he presented. This dressing table was created for Lady Arniston and features inlays of rosewood, mahogany and maple with gilt pine and ormolu mounts. The shelf beneath the moveable mirror would have been hidden behind a curtain which is now lost.

As styles changed from the Rococo to the Neoclassical, so did Chippendale’s designs. This Rococo style, however, remained a popular model and Chippendale would create modified versions of this piece throughout his career.

The Belle Époque Today: Hitched! Wedding Clothes and Customs at Sudley House

"Traveler's Wedding Dress," 2010
Hitched: Wedding Clothes and Customs
Sudley House, Liverpool

Liverpool’s gorgeous Sudley House—the Nineteenth Century mansion of a wealthy corn merchant—has been neatly maintained as a museum of cultural trends. Sudley House is currently featuring an exciting exhibition of wedding clothes from the Victorian to the ultra-contemporary and everything in between.


The collections shows how the styles of wedding gowns and suits from era to era as well as focuses on the customs and wardrobes of different cultures and community groups. This fascinating exhibit runs through May 2, 2011. If you’re near Liverpool, I think it would a lot of fun to visit. If, like me, you’re nowhere near Liverpool, Sudley House’s nifty Web site will give you a glimpse at these beautiful items.