‘She has passed me without any salute!’ cried the governess, raising her eyes to the sky. ‘She has actually passed me without the slightest acknowledgment of my presence!’
#CharlesDickens
#TheOldCuriosityShop
#MissMonflathers
and, when she had compassion on little Nell, verbally fell upon and maltreated her as we have already seen.
#CharlesDickens
#TheOldCuriosityShop
#MissMonflathers
who, by some extraordinary reversal of the Laws of Nature, was not only plain in features but dull in intellect, while the poor apprentice had both a ready wit, and a handsome face and figure. It seems incredible.
#CharlesDickens
#TheOldCuriosityShop
#MissMonflathers
no deferential servant to attend and bear her home for the holidays; nothing genteel to talk about, and nothing to display. But why was Miss Monflathers always vexed and irritated with the poor apprentice—how did that come to pass?
#CharlesDickens
#TheOldCuriosityShop
#MissMonflathers
The servant-maids felt her inferiority, for they were better treated; free to come and go, and regarded in their stations with much more respect.
#CharlesDickens
#TheOldCuriosityShop
#MissMonflathers
and you must either defer to those young ladies or leave the establishment, Miss Edwards.’
#CharlesDickens
#TheOldCuriosityShop
#MissMonflathers
both the teachers were astonished—‘I suppose it is an impulse which induces you to take the part of every grovelling and debased person that comes in your way’—both the teachers supposed so too.
#CharlesDickens
#TheOldCuriosityShop
#MissMonflathers
is it not a most extraordinary thing that all I say and do will not wean you from propensities which your original station in life have unhappily rendered habitual to you, you extremely vulgar-minded girl?’
#CharlesDickens
#TheOldCuriosityShop
#MissMonflathers
as though she had no recognised place among them, sprang forward and put it in her hand. She was gliding timidly away again, when she was arrested by the governess.
#CharlesDickens
#TheOldCuriosityShop
#MissMonflathers
she had never appeared before as an original poet. Just then somebody happened to discover that Nell was crying, and all eyes were again turned towards her.
#CharlesDickens
#TheOldCuriosityShop
#MissMonflathers
“In work, work, work. In work alway
Let my first years be past,
That I may give for ev’ry day
Some good account at last.”
#CharlesDickens
#TheOldCuriosityShop
#MissMonflathers
and the work means painting on velvet, fancy needle-work, or embroidery. In such cases as these,’ pointing to Nell, with her parasol, ‘and in the case of all poor people’s children, we should read it thus:
#CharlesDickens
#TheOldCuriosityShop
#MissMonflathers
Of course the teacher who had not said it, indicated the rival who had, whom Miss Monflathers frowningly requested to hold her peace; by that means throwing the informing teacher into raptures of joy.
#CharlesDickens
#TheOldCuriosityShop
#MissMonflathers
of improving your mind by the constant contemplation of the steam-engine; and of earning a comfortable and independent subsistence of from two-and-ninepence to three shillings per week?
#CharlesDickens
#TheOldCuriosityShop
#MissMonflathers
and regarded the other as having no right to smile, and that her so doing was an act of presumption and impertinence.
#CharlesDickens
#TheOldCuriosityShop
#MissMonflathers
with expansive powers to be roused from their dormant state through the medium of cultivation?’
#CharlesDickens
#TheOldCuriosityShop
#MissMonflathers
‘Yes, ma’am,’ replied Nell, colouring deeply, for the young ladies had collected about her, and she was the centre on which all eyes were fixed.
#CharlesDickens
#TheOldCuriosityShop
#MissMonflathers
And last of the goodly procession came Miss Monflathers, bearing herself a parasol of lilac silk, and supported by two smiling teachers, each mortally envious of the other, and devoted unto Miss Monflathers.
#CharlesDickens
#TheOldCuriosityShop
#MissMonflathers
When talking about favorite #CharlesDickens characters, seldom - never - does anyone mention the memorable #MissMonflathers - let us visit with her in #TheOldCuriosityShop
