The only thing
“Now that we are all together,” Gertrude said, “it is a good opportunity for talking over our plans.” There were “a great many things to be considered,” and they knew it. Phyllis “cast her long, supple frame into the lounge” which was regarded “as her special property,” and Fanny sat down on a chair, “wiping her eyes with her black-bordered pocket-handkerchief.” Gertrude “put her hands behind her and leaned her head against the wall.” “Now that we are all grouped,” Phyllis said, “there is nothing left for Lucy to focus us.” The irony was that it was the only one thing they were all good at. They knew how to take photos, but didn’t know how to make a living.
Helpless
Unlike her younger sisters, Frances Lorimer wasn’t fond of the idea of opening a shop. As Lucy had said, Fan was “behind the age.” She was “an anachronism, belonging by rights to the period when young ladies played the harp, wore ringlets, and went into hysterics.” The irony of the situation was that neither ringlets nor hysterics nor even a harp could help them. The father was dead, they were poor, none of them was beautiful enough to marry someone wealthy. That was the high time to be resolute, they simply had to be brave in order to succeed.
Cynicism
Fortunately for Fan, their discussion was interrupted by “the loud voice of the gong announcing luncheon.” Fanny “rushed off to bathe her eyes,” leaving two “younger girls” in the studio. “I wonder,” said Phyllis with “the complete and unconscious cynicism of youth,” “why Fan has never married.” According to the girl, Frances had “just the sort of qualities that men seem think desirable in a wife and a mother.” The irony was that the girls were quick to judge, but they didn’t even know the true reason behind Fan’s loneliness. Their cynicism was born from arrogance and conviction that they – unlike Fan – would succeed.
