The Larnachs Read Free

acquaintances in quite a different light after hearing my opinion of them. Like obsequious Mr Bulte the shipping agent, to whose house we were invited on several occasions. He did his best to entertain and flatter us, arrange the delivery of fine wines, yet he spits on the pavement and speaksto his subdued wife cuttingly when he thinks they are alone. ‘You know nothing at all about anything, you stupid woman,’ I heard him say while waiting behind the carriage. I made sure there were no more visits. I will not be in the company of a man who talks to his wife, or any woman, in that manner. William was at first taken aback that I should be adamant in excluding a particular person from our house or company. He is accustomed to making those decisions. But when I put forward my reasons, he agreed with me.
    ‘I can see you intend to be the very modern and equal wife,’ he said, ‘even conscience for us both perhaps, and I love you all the more for it. I too hate cruelty and malice.’
    In the main, those first few months in Wellington were both happy and busy. William is gregarious by nature, as a young man sometimes uproariously so according to his friends and family. He doesn’t touch liquor now. I think this is because of Mary’s bouts of drunkenness, though we do not talk of that, or her. He likes people about him, and to be at the centre of the group. We were much in society in Wellington, and enjoyed the purchase and fitting out of our new house in Molesworth Street. William would have made all the decisions down to the last stool, curtain cord and doily, I think, had I not asserted myself, but he accepted with good grace my right to have opinion on everything within the home, especially once he realised from the comments of others that my taste was appreciated. Had I not taken responsibility for the furnishings, I fear that the rooms would have been stocked with unwieldy leather-buttoned chairs and settees such as he is familiar with from clubs and public sitting rooms — of the best quality admittedly, but not at all what I was after.
    In the interviews to find servants, I took the initiative also. Molly decided to come with me from my home, even though I told her she would not be housekeeper. She is a steady young woman, and not one to tittle-tattle about the lives of her betters. I like her, and to have someone familiar to me in the new house has made transition easier. Of the other people we shall see, but Cook has been recommended by my friend Doris Johnston’s family, and so far has pleased us all.
    William was considerate and attentive to me, despite his obligations as chairman of the royal commission investigating the Public Trust Office, and the continuing concern for his investments as hard times come to the country. His defeat at the elections last year does not appear to bother him and he says that public service has always been to the detriment of his financial dealings. Business is very important to him, but it is the one significant concern he has in which I have little aptitude, and less interest, apart from running an efficient household. In all public issues on the other hand, I ensure I am fully informed, and able to debate them with William, or anybody else, no matter what their station.
    When in Wellington we saw many friends, and both the Wards and Seddons are frequent visitors to Molesworth Street: the Seddons, in fact, are our neighbours. Joseph and Richard consider themselves connoisseurs of a dinner and the latter is very fond of euchre. I am expected to play the piano, with the others gathered about me afterwards to sing. Louisa Seddon is Australian born, a strong-looking woman who wears heavily patterned dresses and has given up a waist. She has a deal of perception and awarenessof political issues, but has been kept from much involvement and making the most of herself by having a family of six daughters and three sons. I think she imagines I will follow suit. Even without so many