Henry Handel Richardson

Name: Australia Felix — Part IV, Chapter XII
Author: Henry Handel Richardson

Australia Felix — Part IV, Chapter XII (1917)

Summary

“Australia Felix — Part IV, Chapter XII”, published in 1917, is a work by Henry Handel Richardson. It explores elements such as Zara, Mary and Mahony.

Quotes from Australia Felix — Part IV, Chapter XII (Henry Handel Richardson)

Henry Handel Richardson, Australia Felix — Part IV, Chapter XII (1917)

“ A couple of days prior to their arrival, John and Zara had quarrelled violently; and for the dozenth time Zara had packed her trunks and departed for one of those miraculous situations, the doors of which always stood open to her.
John was for Mary going after her and forcing her to admit the error of her ways. Mary held it wiser to let well alone.
"DO be guided by me this time, John," she urged, when she had heard her brother out: "You and Zara will never hit it off, however often you try." ”

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Source: Wikisource

Henry Handel Richardson, Australia Felix — Part IV, Chapter XII (1917)

“ In Melbourne they were the guests of John--Mahony had reluctantly resigned himself to being beholden to Mary's relatives and Mary's friends to the end of the chapter. At best, living in other people's houses was for him more of a punishment than a pleasure; but for sheer discomfort this stay capped the climax. Under Zara's incompetent rule John's home had degenerated into a lawless and slovenly abode: the meals were unpalatable, the servants pert and lazy, while the children ran wild--you could hardly hear yourself speak for the racket. Whenever possible, Mahony fled the house. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Henry Handel Richardson, Australia Felix — Part IV, Chapter XII (1917)

“ Mahony's foot met the ribbed teak of the deck with the liveliest satisfaction; his nostrils drank in the smell of tarred ropes and oiled brass. Having escorted Mary below, seen to the stowing away of their belongings and changed his town clothes for a set of comfortable baggy garments, he returned to the deck, where he passed the greater part of the day tirelessly pacing. They made good headway, and soon the ports and towns at the water's edge were become mere whitey smudges. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Henry Handel Richardson, Australia Felix — Part IV, Chapter XII (1917)

“ Who IS to hit it off, as you put it, if not two of a family?"
"Oh, John. . . "--Mary felt quite apologetic for her brother. "Clever as Zara is, she's not at all fitted for a post of this kind. She's no hand with the servants, and children don't seem to take to her--young children, I mean."
"Not fitted? Bah!" said John. "Every woman is fitted by nature to rear children and manage a house."
"They should be, I know," yielded Mary in conciliatory fashion. "But with Zara it doesn't seem to be the case." ”

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Source: Wikisource

Henry Handel Richardson, Australia Felix — Part IV, Chapter XII (1917)

“ Mahony!--if you don't want him to fall a victim," teased Richard. "Remember our good John's inflammability. He's a very Leyden jar again at present."
"No, indeed I don't," said Mary with emphasis. "But the children are the first consideration. Oh, dear! it does seem a shame that Tilly shouldn't have them to look after. And it would relieve John of so much responsibility. As it is, he's even asked me to make it plain to Tilly that he wishes Trotty to spend her holidays at school."
The forsaking of the poor little motherless flock cut Mary to the heart. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Henry Handel Richardson, Australia Felix — Part IV, Chapter XII (1917)

“ And scenting a vague sympathy in this stranger uncle who, like himself, had drifted out from the intimacy of the candle-lit room, he made a clean breast of his troubles.
"I can't stand the life here, Uncle Richard, and I'm not going to--not if father cuts me off with a shilling! I mean to see the world. THIS isn't the world--this dead-and-alive old country! ”

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Source: Wikisource

Henry Handel Richardson, Australia Felix — Part IV, Chapter XII (1917)

“ House and practice sold for a good round sum; the brass plates were removed from gate and door, leaving dirty squares flanked by screw-holes; carpets came up and curtains down; and, like rats from a doomed ship, men and women servants fled to other situations. One fine day the auctioneer's bell was rung through the main streets of the town ”

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Source: Wikisource

Henry Handel Richardson, Australia Felix — Part IV, Chapter XII (1917)

“ Meanwhile this was the kind of thing he had to listen to.
"'Ere now, ladies and gents, we 'ave a very fine pier glass--a very chaste and tasty pier glass indeed--a red addition to any lady's drawin'room.--Mrs. Rupp? Do I understand you aright, Mrs. Rupp? Mrs. Rupp offers twelve bob for this very 'andsome article. Twelve bob ... going twelve.... Fifteen? Thank you, Mrs. Bromby! Going fifteen . . . going--going--Eighteen? Right you are, my dear!" and so on.
It had a history had that pier glass ”

Henry Handel Richardson

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Quotes from Australia Felix — Part IV, Chapter XII (Henry Handel Richardson)

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