Caption: Anna Katarina

By derdurchdiezeitreisende [the time traveler]

Translated by T. H. Enerdly

Preface

This caption originally appeared in a now defunct German Yahoo group. It appeals to me for two reasons: it is a rather unusual example of a Lady-to-Maid story, an I think it could be re-written as a full length story.

I’m told that there are there are two types of translations:

• Faithful translations that are true to the source language, German in this case, or
• Idiomatic translations that read as if originally written by a native speaker of the target language, English in this case.

A translation can be one or the other, but not both. My translation is idiomatic.

The Original Caption

Translation:

Story: Hidden Shame

With author's permission and as part of my ongoing effort to gather all lady-to-maid stories under one roof, I am reposting this one from Tcheser's blog.

By Tcheser

Shannon loved to have her friends over to play cards with her on the weekend. They had so much much fun talking, drinking and laughing together. However when her friends Margo, Mindy, and Taylor came over to play this particular weekend they found that Shannon had a new housekeeper. A mousy little thing in an icky blue polyester uniform, apron and canvas sneakers. Her name was Jenny they learned and though she seemed somewhat familiar, none of them could place her. She kept to herself and stayed in the kitchen waiting to be called.

When Shannon's friends finally left that evening, Jenny the maid emerged from the kitchen and went about cleaning up the ladies' tea cups and plates. She thanked her lucky stars that she had not been recognized. For a little over a year ago she had been a completely different person.

Story: An Heiress Humbled

This is an old favourite of mine, even as its lady-to-maid aspect is only implied. It's exceptionally well written. Unfortunately, the story never got finished (or I am not aware of a sequel - please let me known if I am mistaken!) and we never get to see Charlotte in a maid's uniform. Still, the elements of social drop that we all like are there. It also has a historic setting, which is always a big plus for me.

In my library it was linked to Alec Leamus's Beyond the Magic Box, but, as one of the readers pointed out, that blog appears to be dead now. Another reader was kind enough to send me a saved copy of this unfinished story so I'm reposting it here to preserve it for the fans.

AN HEIRESS HUMBLED - A BOARDING SCHOOL TALE OF OLDEN DAYS

by Charlotte Fairfax-Hamilton

AN UNEXPECTED ARRIVAL

The Rolls purred its way softly up the drive to Forsyth Hall. In the back seat, alone, sat the Honourable Charlotte Forsyth - spoiled, pretty and twenty-one. Her thoughts felt fuzzy with a champagne buzz, and she sniffed, very delicately, still tasting in the back of her throat the metallic bitterness of cocaine. Ah, cocaine! How perfectly marvellous it had been of "Squiffy" Bowman-Shaw to introduce her to the delights of that magical white powder! Even if you'd been dancing all night, one little sniff, and rooty toot! - the party could continue! Oh, heaven! What a joy it was to be rich, without any boring parents, and twenty-one!

The past three days in London had been a blur. Parties, balls, young men - a kaleidoscope of memories, spinning round and round inside Charlotte's head. She smiled, careful not to close her eyes, however, and saw, faint through the autumn darkness, the distant lights of Forsyth Hall drawing near. Instinctively, she brushed her fingers against her hair. Exhausted after three days of solid partying she may have been, but Charlotte never looked less than the quintessence of elegance, of London wealth, and Paris chic. A jet-black bob framed an elfin, perfectly pale-complexioned face. Her figure, fashionably slim. Her dress, from Reville's. A single bracelet, topaz and gold. Charlotte's smile faded, to be replaced by her customary pout, but inside, she continued to smile. Yes, being a grownup was indeed the most marvellous fun!

Story: Her Most Remarkable Performance. Chapter 7.

By Camille Langtry

Another week passed and Mr. Bermingdale, as promised, finally brought to Georgina a list of high-society parties, that were planned in coming days. Until her mother’s death the Ashburtons would have featured prominently among the London season’s most prominent hosts, but not anymore. Needless to say, all the other glittering aristocratic names were still there, trying to out-do one another with their fancy balls, expensive dinners, and fashionable receptions.  

It was surprising to Georgina how uninterested she has become in attending any of those parties. Instead, she concentrated on the task at hand: finding the right soiree, where Evelyn could perform to showcase her singing talent. She just couldn’t disappoint her “mistress”, even as she found Evelyn’s strict-and-disgruntled act incredibly stimulating and almost sensual and was almost tempted to “fail her” so that she could be berated yet again.

Georgina looked at the list in front of her. The D’Asgognes were hosting something this coming Sunday, but Lady Constance was probably the last person in all of London’s high society that Georgina wanted to approach with her little request. Her haughty, imperious manners were well-known. Furthermore, her bitter rivalry with the late Lady Olivia made asking Lady Constance for help impossible for Georgina.

Story: A Maid for Malangton Hall. Chapters 9-10.

by Jackie J

Chapter 9

It was just after seven thirty and hearing the large bell at the door Rosemary straightened her lacy cap on her short neat bob, smoothed her apron, shook out the hem of her dress and walked to the main entrance of Malangton Hall. Opening the door Miss Stephenson stood looking radiant.

Rosemary instinctively dropped curtsy.

“Miss.”

Miss Stephenson looked Rosemary up and down and, acknowledging Rosemary with a smile, stepped into the sparkling hallway.

“Mrs Worthington, how nice to meet with you again, or are you now more comfortable with your maid’s name, ROSE?”

Rosemary dropped another curtsy.

“Yes Miss, Rose Miss.”

Story: A Maid for Malangton Hall. Chapters 7-8.

by Jackie J

Chapter 7

It was a concerned Miss Nightingale that disturbed Rosemary from her slumbers.

“Rose, Rose what are you doing still in your bed its past six O’clock you should be dressed and ready for work?”

Rosemary stretched and yawned and took a few moments to gather her thoughts, her first thought being: where was she?

Rosemary stared at Miss Nightingale framed in the doorway of the frugal maid’s quarters looking less that pleased.

Story: Daphne And The White Apron

by Monica Graz

Daphne Arnellos finished getting dressed  and gave an indifferent look at her immense untidy bedroom. Her Polish maid Magda would take care of that later, she thought. She moved to her study and turned her computer on and then went to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. She knew that Magda would be out at this hour doing her morning shopping.    

She started going back but she stopped as her eye caught the freshly ironed white apron’s strings as they were hanging down at the end of the utility room table right next to the kitchen. Instinctively she went in there to check. She picked the apron hesitantly and looked at it. It was a small serving half apron, quite pretty with its broderie anglaise trim. She looked down at her body noticing her very simple black dress she was wearing and then she remembered the words of her friend and confidante Annette when they were both students at a very exclusive Swiss boarding school for girls several years ago.

“Daphne dear,” Annette said with her melodious French voice continuing immediately in French, “Il y a deux façons de porter la robe noir, avec un collier de perles ou un tablier blanc!”