Monday, May 14, 2007

Young Ladies Gone Wild

A young lady of my aquaintance, who attends Lady Pokingham's Academy For Young Ladies, invited me to their end-of-term party but alas, I was struggling with my rather tedious school projects. I could have used a break but the final class was only two days away. There was no time for sleep, much less an end-of-term party, so I had to decline her invitation.

There was tea and cucumber sandwiches, cake and other light refreshments. Several of the young ladies played piano or flute, two sang a rather charming duet, and one of the chaparones read poetry. There were also selected readings intended to build character and were morally and spiritually uplifting as well.

Later, when the chaparones were distracted by an illicit poker game and a couple of bottles of Vin Vitae Tonic, the young ladies got quite rowdy. Someone spiked the punch with sherry from a flask secreted down someone's bust-improver, and so with much giggling quite a lot of cucumber got tossed about, pillows became missles, and hair was mussed.

Eventually one of the young ladies sneaked out the parlor window to contact a friend who was aquainted with a person who possibly had a neighbor who could get ahold of some off-season circus performers for quite a discount. These were eventually smuggled into the house under the bustles of the young lady and her friend long after the chaparones went to bed.

My aquaintance thoughtfully provided me with photographs and a description of the event, since I was otherwise disposed with my homework. Apparently the gentleman in the photograph provided some of the entertainment, in which the young ladies eagerly participated. There were feats of strength and endurance, acrobatics and contortions of the body, juggling, and mustache rides.

I'm quite sure I don't know what that means.