Carried nem. con. Boodels' grandmother to be lent for three weeks, and to be returned safely.
Happy Thought (to suggest to ladies).—Why shouldn't there be a sisterhood of chaperons? Let somebody start it. “Oh!” says a young lady, “I can't go there wherever it is, because I can't go alone, and I haven't got a chaperon.”
Now carry out the idea. The young lady goes to The Home (this sort of establishment is always a Home—possibly because people to be hired are never not at home),—well, she goes to the Home, sees the lady superioress or manageress, who asks her what sort of a chaperon she wants. She doesn't exactly know; but say, age about 50, cheerful disposition, polished manners.
Good. Down comes photograph book.
Young lady inspects chaperons and selects one.
She comes downstairs. “Is she,” asks the lady manageress, “to be dressed for evening or for day, a fête or for what?”
Well then, that's all settled.
Terms, so much an hour, and something for herself. What the French call a pour boire.
This is a genuinely good idea, and one to be adopted, I am sure. What an excellent profession for ladies of good family and education, of a certain age, and an uncertain income.
They might form a Social Beguinage, on the model of the one at Ghent. No vows. All sorts of dresses. All sorts of feeding. Respectable address. And a Home.