Small Pleasures

In an excerpt from the Echo in a column called “Pam’s Piece,” Jean explores the “comic and tragic” (141) unofficial aunt—a slightly condescending term for an unmarried and childless woman, a type that, the piece observes, has become more common after the war. Yet, Jean writes, women now who are unmarried and childless are educated professionals who manage their own finances—when they function as unofficial aunts, they benefit from time spent with a child, while parents get a break knowing their child is spending time with a good role model, and the child benefits from the relationship as well.

Jean takes Margaret to a concert near Howard’s shop. Though she imagined the experience would be refined and enjoyable for them both, Jean instead finds it boring. They leave early and Jean suggests stopping at a cafe for tea. Jean feels anxiety about the cost and about whether Margaret is having a good time. To ensure that she is, Jean asks Margaret what she’d like to do next. Margaret would really love to surprise her father at his shop. There, Howard is pleased to see them both. Margaret upsells a customer into buying a ruby.

When Jean takes Margaret back home, Gretchen comes down the stairs looking disheveled and sweaty with a basket of unfinished ironing in her arms.