Read Online The Improper Life of Bezillia Grove by Susan Gregg Gilmore - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Susan Gregg Gilmore
Tags: Fiction, General, Humorous, Popular American Fiction, Fiction - General, Family Life, Domestic Fiction, Family secrets, Nashville (Tenn.), Interracial dating
Ads: Link
few days since she had left. She smiled and nodded, but when her eyes caught mine, the smile swiftly drained from her face. Nathaniel seemed as surprised as my mother to see Samuel by my side. But I stepped steadily toward them both, trying not to interrupt my stride with any expression of fear or concern, desperately attempting to pretend that Samuel was someplace else.
“Hello, Mother. You’re home,” I said, sounding more like I was asking a question than making an observation. “Maizelle said you wouldn’t be back until tomorrow evening.”
“Maizelle was wrong, Sister,” she said curtly and then stared at Samuel. “I assume this fine-looking young man is your son.” Mother was obviously speaking to Nathaniel, but her eyes were fixed on Samuel.
“Yes, ma’am, I am. I’m Samuel Stephenson. Nice to meet you, ma’am,” he said, not waiting for his father’s introduction. He held out his hand to shake my mother’s. But she kept her hand, protected in its white cotton glove, at her side.
“Sister, you better be getting in the house. Looks as though Adelaide needs a bath. Remember, you have a job to do.”
“But …”
“No, no. No buts.”
I walked up the front steps, passing both Samuel and Nathaniel, none of us willing to speak. Mother refused to exchange a warm hello or a welcoming hug like I had dreamed we might do. And from the top of the porch, I could see Samuel standing stiff by his father’s side. He was staring through my mother as if he was boring a hole right through to her soul. He wasn’t the least bit afraid of this white woman shielded in her cotton gloves and fancy silk suit. But I was. A part of me was afraid, afraid I’d never see Samuel Stephenson again. And a part of me was afraid that I would.
IRIS BALL IN FULL BLOOM AT HUNT ESTATE
MOST LAVISH SOCIAL EVENT IN CITY’S HISTORY
Symphony to Benefit from Gala’s Success
More than five hundred guests attended the Iris Ball Saturday night at the Hunt family estate in support of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. Mrs. George Madison Longfellow Hunt V and Mrs. Charles Goodman Grove V hosted the debut fund-raiser. The Women’s Volunteer League of Nashville sponsored the evening’s festivities.
Guests were serenaded by orchestral music as they made their way down a candlelit path and into an opulently decorated white tent, the interior of which had been transformed into a lavish Paris garden scene.
Streamers of purple irises and red roses were strewn from the center of the tent. Under a canopy of flowers and twinkling lights, guests dined on an elaborate five-course dinner featuring potage crème de cresson, canard en croûte, escalopes de veau, chocolate soufflé, and French champagne.
Beautifully appointed tables were draped in a soft lilac-colored French silk and were centered with impressive arrangements of deep purple irises, red roses, and white tulips. Silver and crystal candlesticks were wrapped in ivy and held long cream tapers.
Mrs. Hunt, who greeted all of her guests in French, wore a red sequined gown with an empire waist and cap sleeves. Her dress was designed and fabricated in Paris. Mrs. Grove chose a purple silk worsted sheath with an elegant back drape and heavy beading around the neck and sleeves. Both women received a standing ovation for their fund-raising efforts.
Patrons had been treated to a cocktail supper at the Groves’ historic home earlier in the week.
Guests at the ball included Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Walter Purdy; Dr. and Mrs. Anson Franklin Johnson, Jr., of Memphis; Mr. and Mrs. Richard Ottowell Haase II; Mr. and Mrs. Francis Parsons Watkins, of Chattanooga; and Mr. and Mrs. James Dickson Holder III.
The Nashville Register
early edition
SEPTEMBER 27, 1965
chapter four
M other did not wake up until noon the day after the ball. Father took her a cup of coffee and the morning paper as she intended to spend the afternoon in bed reading the society page and calling friends. He stayed by her
“Hello, Mother. You’re home,” I said, sounding more like I was asking a question than making an observation. “Maizelle said you wouldn’t be back until tomorrow evening.”
“Maizelle was wrong, Sister,” she said curtly and then stared at Samuel. “I assume this fine-looking young man is your son.” Mother was obviously speaking to Nathaniel, but her eyes were fixed on Samuel.
“Yes, ma’am, I am. I’m Samuel Stephenson. Nice to meet you, ma’am,” he said, not waiting for his father’s introduction. He held out his hand to shake my mother’s. But she kept her hand, protected in its white cotton glove, at her side.
“Sister, you better be getting in the house. Looks as though Adelaide needs a bath. Remember, you have a job to do.”
“But …”
“No, no. No buts.”
I walked up the front steps, passing both Samuel and Nathaniel, none of us willing to speak. Mother refused to exchange a warm hello or a welcoming hug like I had dreamed we might do. And from the top of the porch, I could see Samuel standing stiff by his father’s side. He was staring through my mother as if he was boring a hole right through to her soul. He wasn’t the least bit afraid of this white woman shielded in her cotton gloves and fancy silk suit. But I was. A part of me was afraid, afraid I’d never see Samuel Stephenson again. And a part of me was afraid that I would.
IRIS BALL IN FULL BLOOM AT HUNT ESTATE
MOST LAVISH SOCIAL EVENT IN CITY’S HISTORY
Symphony to Benefit from Gala’s Success
More than five hundred guests attended the Iris Ball Saturday night at the Hunt family estate in support of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. Mrs. George Madison Longfellow Hunt V and Mrs. Charles Goodman Grove V hosted the debut fund-raiser. The Women’s Volunteer League of Nashville sponsored the evening’s festivities.
Guests were serenaded by orchestral music as they made their way down a candlelit path and into an opulently decorated white tent, the interior of which had been transformed into a lavish Paris garden scene.
Streamers of purple irises and red roses were strewn from the center of the tent. Under a canopy of flowers and twinkling lights, guests dined on an elaborate five-course dinner featuring potage crème de cresson, canard en croûte, escalopes de veau, chocolate soufflé, and French champagne.
Beautifully appointed tables were draped in a soft lilac-colored French silk and were centered with impressive arrangements of deep purple irises, red roses, and white tulips. Silver and crystal candlesticks were wrapped in ivy and held long cream tapers.
Mrs. Hunt, who greeted all of her guests in French, wore a red sequined gown with an empire waist and cap sleeves. Her dress was designed and fabricated in Paris. Mrs. Grove chose a purple silk worsted sheath with an elegant back drape and heavy beading around the neck and sleeves. Both women received a standing ovation for their fund-raising efforts.
Patrons had been treated to a cocktail supper at the Groves’ historic home earlier in the week.
Guests at the ball included Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Walter Purdy; Dr. and Mrs. Anson Franklin Johnson, Jr., of Memphis; Mr. and Mrs. Richard Ottowell Haase II; Mr. and Mrs. Francis Parsons Watkins, of Chattanooga; and Mr. and Mrs. James Dickson Holder III.
The Nashville Register
early edition
SEPTEMBER 27, 1965
chapter four
M other did not wake up until noon the day after the ball. Father took her a cup of coffee and the morning paper as she intended to spend the afternoon in bed reading the society page and calling friends. He stayed by her
Similar Books
