An IPOAT Ball in honour of days of yore and yon mighty Maiden Juice

[Hullygully]

Shall we?

Oh well it made sense in my head.

Will the gals be wanting to ride out this fine morn? I can ask Rowbotham to saddle up the finest steeds.

< gasping>
My that was exhilarating, I am quite jigged about. < composes self> what news? Do we have a new cook, are there dainties?

My, Miss Mini! Just look at you! I am surprised they have released you from the asylum, I thought it was to be a more permanent stay? Is Dr Hrrrrrrrrrrpuff with you?

I help them out occasionally Hully dear, and do remember I am a Duchess, the Duke is still undead, and only flies out occasionally. I don't like to flaunt my title, as you know, so Mistress Mini, please.
Dr Hrrrrrrpuff will be happy to offer professional services to any ladies in need.

Mistress Mini I have sore need of assistance in the shed. In our absence labels have peeled off and some tisanes are in danger of exploding.

Alas I fear I have lost my tatting skills. All that time spent in silent contemplation with the prelate has rather numbed my fingers and given me aches in many places.

Mistress Fiderer, I have returned from my 'bettering' reading group and am ready to tat. What requireth you?

The reading group alas did not teach me the art of reading. In fact it was just a group of rather excitable dames drinking something called whaite waine. I had a little sip and although it reminded me a little of tisane, it was quite undrinkable.

.

I am off for my morning constitutional in the direction of Burt's Folly. Has anyone seen my outdoors bonnet?

I have arranged a special treat for all the gels today. The vicar's wife is going to attend us and give a discourse on the many uses of the turnip. I, of course, have heard this most edifying discourse and so shall take a turn about the grounds with that new prelate. He is apparently something of an expert on ha-has, I am sure a plunge into ours will excite him greatly.

You won't need your bonnet, Miss Exit. You will need your snood and an interested manner on the topic of the turnip.

I am so excited about turnips. Will we have to take a turn around the vegetable plot with the under gardener?

I dream of a turnip all of my very own.

Do I need to meet the burgeoning under gardener?

The under gardener is very busy. You must keep your minds on turnips and your snoods on your heads. Gels never change

Auntie, are you really an auntie? I am so desperate to be one but my own dear sister foolishly ran off with the boot boy and I fear her reputation has been soiled beyond repair. My dreams of being an auntie have all but faded away as we haven't heard from her for many months. I'm sure she would have delighted to hear the vicar's wife talking of turnips. I shall tat her a snood and pray for her safe return.

I shall also turn my thoughts away from the under gardener, Miss Hully, and try to concentrate.

I am not an Auntie any sense that my family is prepared to acknowledge.

I have overheard Darling Papa talking most sternly in his study to my Dearest Brother (a crime of curiosity for which my Darling Mamma punished me most severely with a radish). I did not understand the full import of Papa's words, but feel that his reference to rabbits may not have been Quite What It Seemed. Unfortunately the parlour maid, who had previously satisfied enquiries and from whom I hoped to secure elucidation on this, left the house quite precipitately to stay with her ailing grandmother and has not been seen since.

I am not sure that turnips will quite agree with my delicate constitution.

I shall be holding a special turnip carving class after nuncheon, a fine skill of delicately nurtured young ladies should acquire.

A most useful talent if your snood has become entangled and unwearable, you may fashion one of these and strike envy into the hearts of less capable young misses

(how do you do th e picture thing?)

I think we have a rather fine turnip liqueur in the shed, oak aged and highly toxic with an interesting nose. We possibly have a turnip wine, a rub for four and a tonic for the humors. Last year was a good year. Such a versatile vegetable, mistress Fiderer and I are most adventurous in the shed, sometimes Icemaiden's little gadgets come in handy.

'Four' is obviously another name for Gout.

I am sure there is an easier way, but I save image as onto desktop then under the message box there are a few upload image bits so I upload it