Saturday 23 July 2011

'Nothing in common, oh no! nothing except a drinking shell and a fire and the boat we built together. He used my vest for a fishing net, and I used his braces when my knicker elastic gave. It doesn't seem awfully odd to me to ask a man to stay when he's caught a fish in your vest.'
From Miss Ranskill Comes Home.

As every lady knows, you should never go out in decrepit knickers in case you get shipwrecked.
Miss Ranskill, I'm pleased to say, was wearing two pairs of sensible ones when she toppled overboard, reaching for her hat.
I think I'm going to enjoy this one ...
I wonder if I should start wearing vests? Just in case?

9 comments:

mary said...

That's right, Sue - and it's a long time since I read Worzel Gummidge! I think the Persephone catalogue is one long 'to read' list.

rachel said...

Sounds delightful - when I'm settled into my new home, I shall join the Persephone books-by-post service. Too easy to forget what was recommended when browsing Amazon....

kristina said...

I wasn't sure about this one when I started, but by the end I was completely hooked (excuse the accidental fishing pun--yikes!).

K x

mary said...

Now I'm further into it, it's much more subversive about the ladies on the Home Front than I was expecting, Kristina.
Rachel, I've always longed to order the full set ... one of my lottery winning dreams (and a house with enough bookshelves).

Darlene said...

It's probably a good idea, Mary. Or at least avoid offers of a boat ride if your vest has been left behind that day.

I haven't read this one yet but definitely plan on it one day. Hope you're enjoying it!

Anonymous said...

Darn it Mary, I'll have to put that on my wanted list now! I do like the quotation.

mary said...

Darlene and Toffeeapple: This weekend has been a Persephone orgy, one every night!

Eggs on the Roof said...

That quote has given me such a laugh. I'm a great believer in vests actually, and even more so now I know how useful they can be for ensnaring dinner. And how could you not love a man who would lend you his braces for your baggy knickers...

mary said...

I have vague memory of Joanna Lumley on a desert island some years ago, and didn't she make a pair of shoes from her bra? I'm sure any man would happily lend her his braces -but even on desert islands, I'm sure her knickers never let her down.