The Maid Under the Stairs - Chapter 29
< Chapter 29 >
“Blanket and heater on the floor.”
“Got it.”
“Playing cards too?”
“Of course.”
“Wine?”
“Secured three bottles.”
As Mary mentioned items from the list, Theodore Amide checked the items in the big bag and replied.
Mabel watched with fascination as the two of them, both serious and coordinated, stood there.
Gathered between Summerhill and the London School of Economics, they planned to observe the meteor shower that could be seen once every few years. It started with a proposal from George O’Connor to Irina, but as Mary and Theodore joined, the group grew larger, and soon eight college students were on a night outing together.
“Oh, George is coming.”
Irina exclaimed with admiration at the diversity of the picnic supplies brought by Mary and Theodore. George O’Connor stood before them, with Andrew and Robert, who had gone on volunteering at the orphanage with him in the large SUV borrowed from his father.
But there was no sign of Julia, whom they were waiting for.
“Mr. Parsons, where’s Julia?”
Mabel asked, expecting to see Julia, who she thought would come with her fiancé Robert.
“I told Julia not to come after knowing from Theodore that alcohol would be involved. It’s also a midnight outing.”
Robert’s blunt words surprised Mabel.
“But all of Julia’s friends are here, including you, her fiancé.”
“Haven’t you learned that it’s shameful for a woman to drink? It’s in the etiquette books… Julia agreed to it.”
Robert frowned at Mabel, as if reproaching her for attending such gatherings, and seemed annoyed by Mabel’s constant questioning.
Mabel wanted to retort, ‘Isn’t it okay for you to get drunk at every party?’ but considering Julia’s situation, she decided to hold her tongue.
Instead, she asked Robert as if requesting a favor.
“Even if that’s the case, Julia might not drink, but it’s unfair if she can’t come to the picnic at all. May I go and bring Julia?”
It was because of Julia, who had been enthusiastic about the picnic planned by Mary and the others.
“Julia has already gone to the etiquette meeting organized by the Home Economics.”
Robert said, staring at Mabel as if she were speaking in a foreign language.
Mabel was excited about the picnic until a few moments ago, but now, with the realization that Julia had gone to the meeting, she could only stare frustratedly at the back of Robert getting into the car.
George O’Connor, whose hobby was stargazing, knew well the places on the outskirts of Summerhill where stars could be seen clearly. As soon as he set up his telescope in the direction of the meteor shower, the seven college students spread out their wine and food on the blankets and began to enjoy the night picnic.
George taught Irina how to operate the telescope and Andrew took out a wooden machine from under the blanket while spending a quiet time together.
“I brought a portable recorder.”
He muttered loudly among the chatty people.
“Miss Willis, do you have any music you want to listen to?”
Andrew asked, absentmindedly nudging Mabel, who was taking a sandwich from Mary.
“Oh, I don’t know much about music these days.”
Mabel replied awkwardly, looking like she might take a bite of the sandwich at any moment.
Although she volunteered with Andrew in Winterbrook, it was difficult to build any friendship with him, as he was quiet and naive.
But tonight, Andrew seemed determined to stick by Mabel’s side. Even when she moved away for a moment, he quickly changed the music and sat next to her.
‘I’d rather he just speak up. He never seems interested in getting to know me, so why does he keep hovering around me?’
Mabel wondered about Andrew’s persistent attachment to the seat next to her.
“I heard a rumor that you donated 50 pounds to Winterbrook. Seems like you come from a wealthy background.”
Andrew finally said, leaning towards Mabel.
It was William’s sponsorship, but unable to reveal his name due to his request, Mabel had no choice but to say she donated it as “London’s Kind Welfare.”
However, Andrew’s attitude of trying to confirm someone’s wealthy background just by the amount of donation was rude. Mabel cautiously responded to his words.
“Oh, well… I was just lucky to receive the help I needed.”
Andrew nodded approvingly at Mabel’s cautious response, smiling to himself for a while.
“I was impressed by your support for Julia Gilman earlier.”
He continued, surprising Mabel with his unexpected remark.
“Do you also think this situation is unfair to Julia, Mr. Woolf?”
“No, not really.”
Andrew replied stiffly, maintaining a firm posture.
“I was just impressed by the friendship among women. I agree with Robert’s words.”
Mabel furrowed her brow at his response.
“Once you get married and start a family, the relationships between women often drift apart. Everything revolves around the husband. So, it would be helpful for Julia to learn Robert’s values as her fiancé and practice abandoning her own beliefs.”
Mabel doubted Andrew’s audacious response, questioning her ears.
“Then Mr. Woolf, why do you think Julia and the rest of us girls came to college? I thought were also learning the truth and establishing our values at college, just like the male students of the Political College.”
“Wow, I don’t want to upset Miss Willis. Of course, your excited demeanor is cute too.”
Andrew paid no attention to Mabel’s bewildered expression. Instead, with exaggerated gestures, he continued speaking, shaking his pale and slender body.
“Even lower-class individuals are increasingly receiving modern education, so wouldn’t daughters of the upper class also attend bride classes to keep up? While meeting people arranged by the family, I want to instill the fantasy in husbands that I have enough leisure, confidence, and knowledge acquired to welcome a wife who has learned a lot…”
Speaking rapidly, Andrew wiped around his mouth with a small handkerchief and continued speaking.
“Oh, don’t misunderstand. I’m not associated with the upper class. Unlike the young lords here, I am someone who truly needs a college to build culture and establish connections.”
Andrew looked at Mabel with a firm gaze, then offered her the wine glass he was holding.
“So, if I were to marry a wealthy Summerhill girl who received proper education instead of bride classes, it would be perfect.”
“It’s very offensive to speak ill of Summerhill College. No, forget it.”
Mabel turned her head away from the glass Andrew offered, speaking. She didn’t want to argue on this enjoyable evening outing with friends, but Andrew seemed oddly satisfied by her refusal of the drink.
“My dream is to marry a woman who is capable and intelligent but also prepared to dedicate herself to the family. Since our family name is not prominent, and opportunities for a good marriage are rare, I was hoping to meet such a woman naturally during college life.”
Just as Mabel was about to comment on Andrew’s arrogant expression, Theo’s voice calling for Mabel was heard.
“Is Andy bothering you too much?”
Theo asked, gesturing towards the distant group. As Theo called for Mabel, Andrew’s expression seemed to indicate that he felt unfairly accused, as if Theo had ruined the good atmosphere.
“Oh, no. Don’t worry. Although hearing you call me feels like salvation.”
Mabel shrugged her shoulders in response. Theo chuckled knowingly as if understanding her words.
For a moment, feeling liberated from Andrew, who had cornered her against the wall, Mabel became curious about why Theo had called her.
“Are you curious why I called you? It wasn’t just to rescue you from Andy.”
Theo said with a sly smile, his expression full of intelligence.
“Actually, I had planned a new volunteer activity during last Easter break. It didn’t materialize due to Mary falling ill, but I had sent invitations to everyone’s home addresses. I sent yours to the Oxford address you gave last time. But look at this.”
Theo took out a small letter from his stiff gray suit pocket and unfolded it.
“This is the response I received.”
In Theo’s hand was a piece of paper with familiar handwriting.
To the gentleman of colonial missionary descent,
This estate does not belong to Mabel Willis. The only person who can provide the address of this estate is Lord Frederick Alfred. If the maid of this estate, Mabel Willis, has provided you with the address of this estate, please punish that ignorant maid and kindly forget this address.
Furthermore, I will not deliver the orphanage volunteer invitation you sent to Willis. Are you aware that Mabel Willis herself is of orphanage origin? And the fact that she is deceiving her status and attending college under Lord Alfred’s grace? I dare advise that there might be nothing for our British children to learn from people of orphanage and colonial backgrounds.
Yours sincerely,
The maid of the estate, Margaret Sandson