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the one he showed them； trimmed with yellow and blue ribbons； and had
been complimented by King William on the becoming nature of her
head…dress。
Miss Barkers； who confined themselves to truth； and did not approve
of miscellaneous customers； throve notwithstanding。 They were self…
denying； good people。 Many a time have I seen the eldest of them （she
that had been maid to Mrs Jamieson） carrying out some delicate mess to
a poor person。 They only aped their betters in having 〃nothing to do〃
with the class immediately below theirs。 And when Miss Barker died；
their profits and income were found to be such that Miss Betty was
justified in shutting up shop and retiring from business。 She also （as I
think I have before said） set up her cow； a mark of respectability in
Cranford almost as decided as setting up a gig is among some people。
She dressed finer than any lady in Cranford； and we did not wonder at it；
for it was understood that she was wearing out all the bonnets and caps
and outrageous ribbons which had once formed her stock…in…trade。 It
was five or six years since she had given up shop； so in any other place
than Cranford her dress might have been considered PASSEE。
And now Miss Betty Barker had called to invite Miss Matty to tea at
her house on the following Tuesday。 She gave me also an impromptu
invitation； as I happened to be a visitor … though I could see she had a
little fear lest； since my father had gone to live in Drumble； he might
have engaged in that 〃horrid cotton trade；〃 and so dragged his family
down out of 〃aristocratic society。〃 She prefaced this invitation with so
many apologies that she quite excited my curiosity。 〃Her presumption〃
was to be excused。 What had she been doing？ She seemed so over…
powered by it I could only think that she had been writing to Queen
Adelaide to ask for a receipt for washing lace； but the act which she so
characterised was only an invitation she had carried to her sister's former
mistress； Mrs Jamieson。 〃Her former occupation considered； could
Miss Matty excuse the liberty？〃 Ah！ thought I； she has found out that
double cap； and is going to rectify Miss Matty's head…dress。 No！ it was
simply to extend her invitation to Miss Matty and to me。 Miss Matty
bowed acceptance； and I wondered that； in the graceful action； she did
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not feel the unusual weight and extraordinary height of her head…dress。
But I do not think she did； for she recovered her balance； and went on
talking to Miss Betty in a kind； condescending manner； very different
from the fidgety way she would have had if she had suspected how
singular her appearance was。 〃Mrs Jamieson is coming； I think you
said？〃 asked Miss Matty。
〃Yes。 Mrs Jamieson most kindly and condescendingly said she
would be happy to come。 One little stipulation she made； that she
should bring Carlo。 I told her that if I had a weakness； it was for
dogs。〃
〃And Miss Pole？〃 questioned Miss Matty； who was thinking of her
pool at Preference； in which Carlo would not be available as a partner。
〃I am going to ask Miss Pole。 Of course； I could not think of
asking her until I had asked you； madam … the rector's daughter； madam。
Believe me； I do not forget the situation my father held under yours。〃
〃And Mrs Forrester； of course？〃
〃And Mrs Forrester。 I thought； in fact； of going to her before I went
to Miss Pole。 Although her circumstances are changed； madam； she
was born at Tyrrell； and we can never forget her alliance to the Bigges；
of Bigelow Hall。〃
Miss Matty cared much more for the little circumstance of her being
a very good card…player。
〃Mrs Fitz…Adam … I suppose〃 …
〃No； madam。 I must draw a line somewhere。 Mrs Jamieson would
not； I think； like to meet Mrs Fitz…Adam。 I have the greatest respect
for Mrs Fitz…Adam … but I cannot think her fit society for such ladies as
Mrs Jamieson and Miss Matilda Jenkyns。〃
Miss Betty Barker bowed low to Miss Matty； and pursed up her mouth。
She looked at me with sidelong dignity； as much as to say； although a
retired milliner； she was no democrat； and understood the difference of
ranks。
〃May I beg you to come as near half…past six to my little dwelling； as
possible； Miss Matilda？ Mrs Jamieson dines at five； but has kindly
promised not to delay her visit beyond that time … half…past six。〃 And
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with a swimming curtsey Miss Betty Barker took her leave。
My prophetic soul foretold a visit that afternoon from Miss Pole；
who usually came to call on Miss Matilda after any event … or indeed in
sight of any event … to talk it over with her。
〃Miss Betty told me it was to be a choice and select few；〃 said Miss
Pole； as she and Miss Matty compared notes。
〃Yes； so she said。 Not even Mrs Fitz…Adam。〃
Now Mrs Fitz…Adam was the widowed sister of the Cranford surgeon；
whom I have named before。 Their parents were respectable farmers；
content with their station。 The name of these good people was Hoggins。
Mr Hoggins was the Cranford doctor now； we disliked the name and
considered it coarse； but； as Miss Jenkyns said； if he changed it to
Piggins it would not be much better。 We had hoped to discover a
relationship between him and that Marchioness of Exeter whose name
was Molly Hoggins； but the man； careless of his own interests； utterly
ignored and denied any such r