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Fiona Mc wrote: |
I never found Jem particularly authoritarian just that he was so used to being in charge and taking care of people's health he probably did it so automatically cos he had to at work. He certainly comes accross as having a good relationship with the pupils at the CS in Tyrol and to open his home to all the kids he did is pretty impressive. |
Fiona Mc wrote: |
I would like to know which book it says that Madge can't show open affection with her wards because Sybil would be jealous otherwise because I've read every CS book and have never come accross it and have read that staement from a couple of different people. The Bettany's and Daisy are described as having a soft spot for their Aunty Madge so she must have showed them enough affection. I always wonder how the Russell children coped without their cousins after growing up with them, especially David being the only boy. |
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“It's
just - it's such a relief to hear you say that,” sniffed Daisy. “It
came into my head a few days ago, and I've been thinking about it ever
since. If such a thing were to happen, Rob, I don't know what I should
do. Jo is so - so special, somehow. Auntie Madge is a darling; but -
well, she has her own children, and dozens of other things to think
about.”
“So has Jo, if you come to that,” said Robin. “I know. But the Triplets aren't like Sybil. Sybs hates having cousins so much older than she is living with them. And then she's always been such a picture, and you know what idiots some folk are! When she was at the Sonnalpe the crowds of visitors that used to say - and quite loudly, too, so that she couldn't help hearing! - "Oh, what a lovely child!" Or, "Just look at that exquisite little face!" The only wonder is that she isn't more of a trial than she is. And, of course, she was baby for so long. Josette isn't four till the summer, and Sybs is five years older.” “I know,” agreed Robin. “There's a lot in what you say. All the same, Sybil can be unbearably rude sometimes, I know. She's got to learn to get over her vanity and her jealousy. But Madge loves you and Prim very dearly, Daisy. And I know she loves me, too.” “Yes; but because of Sybs, she daren't show it - or not much. I was jolly thankful when it was arranged that Prim and I were to live with Jo. I can't tell you how sorry I've been for Bride and Peggy, many a time. And Jo knows what Sybil is, and told me once that that was one reason why she had us with her. |
Fiona Mc wrote: |
I also don't have an issue that Madge asked Joey and Dick to break the news to Sybil and David. I thought in part it was a kindness for them to be told by a sympathetic person who can meet them at where there reaction to the news is and comfort them as needed rather than not having someone there when the read the news in a letter and quite possibly be upset by it. |
Quote: |
"But Madge loves you and Prim very dearly, Daisy. And I know she loves me, too.”
“Yes; but because of Sybs, she daren't show it - or not much." |
Quote: |
"But Madge loves you and Prim very dearly, Daisy. And I know she loves me, too.”
“Yes; but because of Sybs, she daren't show it - or not much." |
Róisín wrote: |
In what book is it that Sybil challenges Bride as being 'just a cousin' does anyone know? |
Quote: |
Peggy had unbounded belief in school as a reformer. She herself was a gentle, sweet-tempered little soul, most obliging, and quite motherly with the younger ones — though red-headed Sybil sometimes resented the mothering, having a great opinion of herself as the only daughter of the house. She had been known to madden Rix by chanting, ‘You’re only a cousin! David an’ me belong!’ |
Róisín wrote: |
Well. All that considered, I too may have kicked up a fuss. Of course Sybil had no right being mean to Bride, but her home must have felt like a drop in hotel sometimes. |
Quote: |
had been known to madden Rix by chanting, ‘You’re only a cousin! David an’ me belong!’ |
Quote: |
Everybody picked on him. Hadn't Nan that very morning said, "You weren't born at Ingleside like the rest of us." |
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And it can't have helped that Jo talked about her behind her back, and was so anti-Sybil, and generally negative about the child. |
Fiona Mc wrote: |
I
wonder how much Madge was upset by Sybil going missing for the day with
Mystic M affected how she an Jem related to Sybil. Added to that Sybil
was 6-8 prem and in those days that would have been a big deal. She
would have been a 32-34 weeker and babies only learn how to such and
swallow at 36 weeks though they can do it earlier they do get extremely
tired and can't be feed. In saying that some do tend to survive anyway
but it would have had an affect on Jem and Madge and she would have
seemed that much more precious as a result.
(The half term was in March and Jem said Sybil was due at the end of April) |
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