Punch's Cousin, Chapter 207

Marjani panted as she caught up with Robert, Mr. Punch and the baby.


“Was that Marie Laveau over there?” Robert asked.

“Yes, Sir.” Marjani coughed.

“Can’t we never have no moment without them folk interferin’?” Mr. Punch grumbled.

“No one’s got peace with the likes of Marie and Iolanthe about.” Marjani sighed, catching her breath.

“What did she want?” Robert asked as they walked briskly.

“The baby.” Marjani said softly.

“Ain’t that grand?” Mr. Punch muttered, glancing at the child in Robert’s arms and then, briefly over his shoulder to the spot in the distance where Barbara still stood, sobbing in Charles’ arms.

“However did you subdue her?” Robert asked.

“Well, Sir.” Marjani said breathlessly. “I hope you don’t mind, but I borrowed some of them chemicals from your case.”

“Did you?” Robert raised his eyebrows.

“See, I learned a thing or two ‘bout how certain things go together and how they don’t. You know, when I’m mixin’ my colors for the dye I use on my textiles? I knew if I mixed some things in a certain way, when they hit the air, they’d make a smoke. I thought it’d scare anyone who thought they’d need for to bother us.”

“Good thinking,” Robert nodded as the baby reached for his face. “It seems to have worked.”

“Well, Sir, it did at that. But, I didn’t count on Marie gettin’ cut by the glass I done used to hold the liquid.”

“Ah,” Robert sighed.

“She’s fit to be tied.” Marjani sighed.

“She would have been for one reason or another anyway.” Robert mumbled. “We’ll cope with it.”

“We got bigger problems, Chums.” Mr. Punch said, pausing.

“I know.” Robert answered. “Let’s stop in here.” He pointed to a small café.

“Sir, I can’t go in there with you,” Marjani whispered.

“You…” Robert’s eyes widened. “Oh.” He shook his head. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

“What about the mews?” Punch asked.

They ducked into an alley between two long, shot-gun buildings.

“Now,” Mr. Punch began. “Edward Cage has got his men’s eyes trained on our house. We had such a time gettin’ out of the house without bein’ followed. Adrienne had to distract them. Only, I don’t think there’s anyway we can get back in without bein’ noticed. ‘Specially carryin’ Colin.”

“We certainly can’t all go in at once.” Robert frowned.

“I got an idea, Mr. Punch.” Marjani grinned. “That is, if you’ll let me do it.”



Did you miss Chapters 1-206? If so, you can read them here.

Goal for the Day: Appreciate the Simple Things

Sometimes, in our pursuit of perfection, we forget about the inherent beauty of the things around us. We’re always searching for the biggest and the best, but so often, it’s already available to us.


Take comfort in the wonderful things you see every day. The wag of a dog’s tail, a delicious lunch, the way the sunlight streams into your home—these are all fantastic things that we encounter each day. These are the things which define the quality of our lives. You’ll find that the perfection that you seek is already right in front of you.

Object of the Day: An Antique Tsavorite Stickpin

Though modern gemologists are quick to grab for credit in the discovery of Tsavorite, the gemstone has been in use for centuries. This exceptionally clear green stone was named in the 1960’s. Prior to this, it was called “green garnet” which is actually an appropriate name for the stone since that’s exactly what it is. Green garnet comes in a wide range of hues and saturations from a bright, grassy green to a deep, almost-black green.


Tsavorite was popular with Victorian jewelers who appreciated the brilliant color and clarity of the gem. It was sometimes used in pieces with other gemstones such as diamonds, rubies and amethysts to create intricate, naturally-inspired patterns and designs. However, more often than not, the stone was set by itself, allowing its beauty to shine independently.

This antique stickpin dates to the late Nineteenth Century and features a large, oval Tsavorite set in fifteen karat gold. Solitaire stones where often employed as the centerpiece of a gentleman’s stickpin. An attractive faceted stone was the perfect complement to any wardrobe.

Painting of the Day: “And When Did You Last See Your Father?” by William Frederick Yeames, 1878



And When Did ou Last See Your Father
William Frederick Yeames, 1878
The Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool



One of the most famous and beloved works in the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool, England, is William Frederick Yeames’ emotional 1878 painting, And When Did You Last See Your Father? The painting represents a fictional scene from The English Civil War wherein the country estate of a well-heeled Royalist family has been invaded by Parliamentarian forces. The authorities, believing in the honesty and innocence of children, question the smallest member of the household who is faced with the dilemma of having to lie or send his father to certain death.

A wax tableau of the painting in Madame Tussauds, London

Yeames, the son of the British ambassador to Russia, studied art in Italy and returned to England where he helped form an association of artists known as The St. John’s Wood Clique. Unlike many groups of artists, the members of The Saint John’s Wood Clique preferred traditional and upscale pursuits over a bohemian lifestyle. Yeames, like his companions, specialized in historical subjects and British themes. Yeames’ goal with this painting, as with most of his works, was to create what he called a “Problem Picture” wherein a paradox or difficult moral decision was posed to the viewer of the painting.

And When Did You Last See Your Father? was instantly a social triumph, inspiring a popular song in 1890 and becoming the subject of a wax tableau which is still displayed at Madame Tussauds in London.

Person of the Week: Olivia de Havilland

With the passing of Elizabeth Taylor last week, we can’t help but have the feeling that we’re losing our ties to the roots of American cinema. Sadly, as we lose more of these Golden Age screen idols, the contenders to fill their shoes are, at the very least, lacking.

Though living a far less high-profile life that did Miss Taylor, we’re still graced with the presence of two of the cinema’s greatest stars: sisters Joan Fontaine and Olivia de Havilland.

Olivia de Havilland was born in Tokyo, Japan to English actress Lillian Fontaine (Lillian Augusta Ruse) and Walter Augustus de Havilland, a patent attorney. From an early age, de Havilland had theatrical tendencies. Lillian encouraged her daughter’s passion for drama, and it is alleged that when her second daughter, Joan, also showed an interest in theater, Lillian placed Olivia’s wants above Joan’s.

After moving to the United States, a young Olivia de Havilland made her stage debut at the Hollywood Bowl as Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Her performance was so well-received that in 1935, when Warner Brothers was making their film adaptation of the Shakespearean masterpiece, de Havilland was the only member of the Californian stage company who was retained in her part—the other roles being recast with contract players. With a successful screen career in the offing, de Havilland quickly found herself in a series of small, but impressive roles. She became a true leading lady alongside Errol Flynn in eight popular films. Many speculated that Flynn and de Havilland were embroiled in a private romance. However, de Havilland has stated that while the two did share a mutual attraction, they remained just friends.

1939 was a major turning-point in American cinema. The year also offered a unique opportunity to de Havilland. While David O. Selznick was searching for his “Scarlett,” he already had his “Melanie” for Gone with the Wind. Olivia de Havilland was one of the first to be cast for the world’s most famous film and her portrayal of gentle Melanie Wilkes provided her with a permanent place in the world’s collective memory.

After Gone with the Wind, de Havilland returned to her usual contract work at Warner Brothers, but became more careful about which roles she accepted. She was increasingly cast as “the good girl” and wanted to try her hand at other types of characters. Each time de Havilland rejected a part that Warner had assigned her, she was placed on suspension. When he contract was up, she discovered that she was going to be forced to stay at Warner Brothers for several more months because of her amounted suspension time. This was a common practice in the classic studio system. De Havilland was furious and took Warner Brothers to court. She finished the battle started by her good friend and frequent co-star Bette Davis a few years earlier. With her triumph over Warner Brothers, de Havilland changed the way in which actors are employed for the better. The guidelines about contract length still hold the informal name, “De Havilland’s Law.”

Warner Brothers, defeated and embarrassed, vowed never to employee de Havilland again and she quickly and happily went to Paramount where she found a renewed artistic freedom and chances to play the types of roles she had dreamed of. Her performances in films such as The Heiress and The Snake Pit proved she was more than just a pretty face and a sweet disposition.

In 1949, she won her second Academy Award (her first came in 1946 for To Each His Own) for Best Actress for her work in The Heiress. De Havilland continued to be busy will into the 1960’s. After making Hush…Hush, Sweet Charlotte with Bette Davis, her career began to slow down and she led an increasingly more private life in her home in Paris.

For her unparalleled body of work and her contributions to the arts of the last eight decades, Olivia de Havilland is our Person of the Week.

Enjoy Miss de Havilland in these scenes from The Heiress (1949) and The Snake Pit (1948).

Treat of the Week: A Luscious Lemon Tart

No one can deny that Spring is in the air when presented with an exquisite lemon tart such as this one. Fresh lemon gives the tart’s custard a light, citrus taste which brings immediate thoughts of sunshine and blooming trees. And, what goes better with lemon than whipped cream and raspberries. After dusting the finished tart with confectioner’s sugar, my mother carefully piped freshly whipped cream into swirling peaks which supported plump, ripe raspberries.


Of course, everything good needs a great foundation and this tart has one of the best possible foundations. The crust is a delicate layer of crushed pecan cookies which offer a gorgeous texture, richness and mellow flavor—the perfect complement to the bright citrus burst of the custard.

Even if there’s still a chill in the air where you live, a tart like this will drive the winter out of the corners. To make your own, you’ll find a variety of excellent custard tart recipes online. See what you can come up with and don’t be afraid to change things up. The best recipes are those that you make your own.

Sculpture of the Day: Bust of King George V, 1935

Bust of King George V
Kathleen Scott, 1935
Bronze on marble plinth
The Royal Collection

Kathleen Scott, the Baroness Kennet, often was overshadowed by her famous husband, the Antarctic explorer, Captain Robert Scott. However, the Baroness was worthy of celebration in her own right. An extremely talented sculptor, Scott created many beautiful figures of the most powerful men of her day.


This bust of King George V was created by Scott in 1935 after His Majesty sat for the sculptor in March of that year. The finished piece was presented as a gift to Queen Mary (of Teck) in June of 1935.