How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #10
And as so often happens at coffee parties, the ladies began to talk about their servants. Apparently, they had not been able to get very good servants, for the were not at all satisfied with them, and they agreed that it rally was better not to have any servants at all. (9.33)
Hm. Gossiping? Talking ill of their servants and claiming it's better not to have servants while still employing servants? Seems a bit duplicitous and malicious and certainly not "ladylike" at all. And yet, these people are ladies of the middle and upper class—people who are considered to be principled, pillars of the community. So… what's wrong with this picture?