Edna drew the curtains
on the night sky;
Nellie was already in bed,
watching.
Did you undress
without drawing
the curtains?
Edna said.
It was in the dark;
I didn't light the candle
until after.
The candle flickered
in the candle holder.
Shame about the old dear;
do think she'll cope
now the old buzzard is dead?
Edna said.
Her daughter
said she will,
Nellie said,
watching as the maid
began to undress.
**** wasn't so sure;
she reckons
she'll peg out next,
Edna said.
What does old **** know;
she's just the cook,
Nellie replied.
She studied Edna
wash quickly
in her underclothes.
****** cold,
Edna said.
Come to bed then,
said Nellie,
and I'll warm you.
Edna dried herself quickly;
then put on
her old nightgown.
Poor old dear,
Edna said quietly.
She climbed into
the old bed
and pulled the blankets
over them.
Nellie blew out the candle
and the room in the attic
was swollwed by darkness,
except for a slither
of moonlight
which pushed through
the parting
where the curtains
didn't meet.
Edna giggled.
Quiet,
Nellie whispered.
Well don't
touch me there,
Edna replied.
Where?
Nellie said.
Edna giggled again:
There,
she muttered.
Outside
it began to rain.
Nov 15, 2018
Nov 15, 2018 at 4:01 PM UTC
Edna drew the curtains
on the night sky;
Nellie was already in bed,
watching.
Did you undress
without drawing
the curtains?
Edna said.
It was in the dark;
I didn't light the candle
until after.
The candle flickered
in the candle holder.
Shame about the old dear;
do think she'll cope
now the old buzzard is dead?
Edna said.
Her daughter
said she will,
Nellie said,
watching as the maid
began to undress.
**** wasn't so sure;
she reckons
she'll peg out next,
Edna said.
What does old **** know;
she's just the cook,
Nellie replied.
She studied Edna
wash quickly
in her underclothes.
****** cold,
Edna said.
Come to bed then,
said Nellie,
and I'll warm you.
Edna dried herself quickly;
then put on
her old nightgown.
Poor old dear,
Edna said quietly.
She climbed into
the old bed
and pulled the blankets
over them.
Nellie blew out the candle
and the room in the attic
was swollwed by darkness,
except for a slither
of moonlight
which pushed through
the parting
where the curtains
didn't meet.
Edna giggled.
Quiet,
Nellie whispered.
Well don't
touch me there,
Edna replied.
Where?
Nellie said.
Edna giggled again:
There,
she muttered.
Outside
it began to rain.
Maids at Bedtime in London in 1924
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