Henry Handel Richardson

Name: Australia Felix — Part II, Chapter VII
Author: Henry Handel Richardson

Australia Felix — Part II, Chapter VII (1917)

Summary

“Australia Felix — Part II, Chapter VII”, published in 1917, is a work by Henry Handel Richardson. It explores elements such as Mahony, Polly and Beamish.

Quotes from Australia Felix — Part II, Chapter VII (Henry Handel Richardson)

Henry Handel Richardson, Australia Felix — Part II, Chapter VII (1917)

“ Towards eleven o'clock Mahony and he sat, one on each side of the table, in the little sitting-room. The heat was insupportable and all three doors and the window were propped open, in the feeble hope of creating a draught. The lamp had attracted a swarm of flying things: giant moths beat their wings against the globe, or fell singed and sizzling down the chimney; winged-ants alighted with a click upon the table; blowflies and mosquitoes kept up a dizzy hum.
From time to time Mahony rose and stole into the bedroom, where Mrs. Beamish sat fanning the pests off Polly, who was in a feverish doze. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Henry Handel Richardson, Australia Felix — Part II, Chapter VII (1917)

“ Rogers, on the contrary, was still satisfied with the shape of affairs-- or made pretence to be. For, watching lynx-eyed, Mahony fancied each time the fat man propelled his paunch out of the sickroom it was a shade less surely: there were nuances, too, in the way he pronounced his vapid: "As long as our strength is well maintained . . . well maintained." Mahony doubted Polly's ability to bear much more; and he made bold to know his own wife's constitution best. Rogers was shilly-shallying: what if he delayed too long and Polly slipped through his hands? Lose Polly? Good God! ”

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Source: Wikisource

Henry Handel Richardson, Australia Felix — Part II, Chapter VII (1917)

“ But a fresh visit to Polly, whose pulse had grown markedly softer, put an end to his scruples.
Stalking into the sitting-room he said without preamble: "In my opinion any further delay will mean a risk to my wife. I request you to operate immediately."
Rogers blinked up from his cards, surprise writ across his ruddy countenance. He pushed his spectacles to his forehead. "Eh? What? Well, well . . . yes, the time is no doubt coming when we shall have to lend Mother Nature a hand."
"Coming? It's come . . . and gone. Are you blind, man?"
Rogers had faced many an agitated husband in his day. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Henry Handel Richardson, Australia Felix — Part II, Chapter VII (1917)

“ And now Mahony said tentatively: "Don't you think, love, we could manage to get on without that old Beamish woman? I'll guarantee to nurse you as well as any female alive."
The question did not come as a surprise to Polly; she had already put it to herself. After the affair with Sara she awaited her new visitor in fear and trembling. Sara had at least stood in awe of Richard and held her tongue before him; Mrs. Beamish prided herself on being afraid of nobody, and on always speaking her mind. And yet, even while agreeing that it would be well to put "mother" off, Polly drooped her wings. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Henry Handel Richardson, Australia Felix — Part II, Chapter VII (1917)

“ And she can't help being like she is--she has always been accustomed to order Mr. Beamish about. But I wish she had never, never come," sobbed poor Polly. And Mahony, in a sudden flash of enlightenment, put his arms round her, and made humble promises. Not another word should cross his lips! "Though I'd like nothing so well as to throw her out, and her bags and bundles after her. Come, laugh a little, my Polly. Think of the old lady flying down the slope, with her packages in a shower about her head!"
Rogers, M.D., looked in whenever he passed. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Henry Handel Richardson, Australia Felix — Part II, Chapter VII (1917)

“ No, she hadn't, Polly admitted, rather out of countenance. But then Sara was like that--very close about her own affairs. "I think she's perhaps gone back to her last situation. She had several letters while she was here, in that lady's hand. People are always glad to get her back. Not many finishing governesses can teach all she can"--and Polly checked off Sara's attainments on the fingers of both hands. "She won't go anywhere under two hundred a year."
"A most accomplished person, your sister!" said Mahony sleepily. "Still, it's very pleasant to be by ourselves again--eh, wife?" ”

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Source: Wikisource

Henry Handel Richardson, Australia Felix — Part II, Chapter VII (1917)

“ Too much in awe of Mahony to stand up to him--for when he was angry, he was very angry--Sara retaliated by abusing him to Polly as she packed her trunk.
"Manners, indeed! To turn and insult a visitor at his own table! And who and what is he, I should like to know, to speak to me so? Nothing but a common storekeeper. My dear, you have my deepest sympathy. It's a DREADFUL life for you. Of course you keep everything as nice as possible, under the circumstances. But the surroundings, Polly! ”

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Source: Wikisource

Henry Handel Richardson, Australia Felix — Part II, Chapter VII (1917)

“ The new Constitution had been proclaimed, and a valiant effort was being made to form a Cabinet; to induce, that was, a sufficient number of well-to-do men to give up time to the service of their country. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Henry Handel Richardson, Australia Felix — Part II, Chapter VII (1917)

“ She confided to Richard that Mrs. Beamish disapproved of his evening outings. "Many an 'usband takes to goin' out at such a time, my dear, an' never gets back the 'abit of stoppin' at 'ome. So just you be careful, ducky!" This was a standing joke between them. Mahony would wink at Polly when he put his hat on, and wear it rakishly askew. ”

Henry Handel Richardson

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Quotes from Australia Felix — Part II, Chapter VII (Henry Handel Richardson)

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