Cranford

Cranford Ladies Avoid Lady Glenmire at Church

On the first Sunday Lady Glenmire appears in Cranford, the Cranford ladies deliberately stand together coming out of church and turn their backs on Mrs Jamieson and her guest. Though consumed by curiosity about Lady Glenmire’s appearance, they refuse to look at her and instead question the servant Martha in the afternoon. Martha’s lively description compares the small, sharp-faced lady with bright black eyes to the landlady at the Coach and Horses, prompting Miss Pole’s tart correction: “Lady,” not “Mrs Deacon.”

Mrs Jamieson’s Party Invitation

After a second Sunday of pointedly ignoring Mrs Jamieson and Lady Glenmire, Mrs Jamieson inexplicably reverses her stance and sends out party invitations for the following Tuesday, delivered ceremoniously by her servant Mr Mulliner, who insists on using the front door and carries the notes in a large basket to emphasize their importance.

Decision to Accept the Party Invitation

Miss Matty and the narrator initially plan to decline on the pretext of Miss Matty’s regular Tuesday candle-lighting of weekly bills and letters. However, Miss Pole arrives, argues that accepting would prevent Mrs Jamieson from thinking her remarks had caused offence, and reminds Miss Matty of her duty as a clergyman’s daughter. Miss Pole, also eager to display a smart new cap, persuades Miss Matty to accept, and a gracious reply is sent.

Cranford Ladies’ Party Attire

The narrator explains that expenditure on dress in Cranford concentrates overwhelmingly on caps and brooches, with old gowns and cherished brooches preserved beneath ever-fashionable new caps. The ladies appear at the party adorned with three new caps between them, and Miss Pole alone wears seven brooches, including a Scotch-pebble butterfly, distributed across her cap, kerchief, collar, gown, stomacher, and elsewhere.