My Secret Life

Jenny objecting, the sister answered angrily, “What are you in such a hurry for tea for? — it's not time, — well have it by yourself, I can't drink it, — I had a lot of beer at dinner, and Tom gave me nearly a pint before I left him, — it was so hot, I was so thirsty, — it's on my chest now, — I can't put tea on the top of it yet.” “Well if you won't, I may as well go up with you”, said Jenny. Footsteps came nearer, and hat, stick, and self, I threw under the bed. Jenny came in looking like death. “She won't find me here, — get her down soon”, was all I had time to say in a whisper before the sister following Jenny entered the room. I had quite hidden myself. The bed had been a good one, the old gentleman and lady had slept on it for years; it was large and handsome, but being shabby and worn out, had that very month only been put to servants' use. Round it were old red valances hanging to the floor, things not given to servants. No sooner was I under the bed, than I saw there were little openings at the seams, and some moth-holes, which permitted me to see through them. At one spot near to my shoulder as I lay crouching and doubled up, was a long slit where the valance had been torn down. By raising myself on my elbow, and squeezing my head against the mattress I could see perfectly, but no person in the room would have noticed me, even though the room was as bright as day, for the thick red hangings hid me in darkness under the bed, and I was on the side away from the window. I gazed earnestly at Jenny's sister through this opening and others.

She was a well-grown, strong woman, with a hand-some round face, and dark hair and eyes; she had shortish petticoats, and thickish ankles in good lace-up boots which, made much noise as she walked about. She had a huge paper parcel in her hands, which she placed on the bed; then for a moment she rested her bum on the bed-side, and Jenny did the same by the side of her. The parcel was between them, her ankles were within a few inches of my nose; I gently lifted the valance, and saw up the calf of her legs, her petticoats cut as they were in those days, being drawn up by sitting down. I remember almost every word, every action which took place on that memorable afternoon, and not a movement escaped me.

“I can't untie it, — cut it.” “The scissors are down- stairs.” “I'll go and fetch them.” “Oh! no,-where is the knife that I cut my corns with?” “Oh! never mind, —there, I've done it, — I've broken it”, — and she rose up as did Jenny from the bed, and both now stood standing facing the side of the bed where I lay.

I heard the rustling of paper, the rustling of a dress, the noose of feet paddling about. “Oh! it is nice, — what did it cost? — who made it?” “I made the skirt, and Miss Skinner the body, — she charged me seven and six, — it's not dear, is it?” — I'll hang it up, then the creases will come out.” “Let's hang it up first.” And then on a peg at the back of the door the dress was hung up, and for a moment, both women stood admiring it, their backs towards me and the bed.

“Look”, said the sister, “it just wants a little some-thing done to the sleeves, — she said it was not finished there, — oh! yes here it is, — I would not wait for her, I can easily do it myself, — I was glad to get it, and half feared I should not get it for Sunday, — the old beast never keeps her promise, but she has this time, —I gave her sixpence extra. Oh! my gracious how hot it is, — I'm sweating all over, — it's awful, — I'll pull off my frock, then I'll finish the sleeves as it hangs up, — get us the needle and thread Jenny, — just thread a needle dear, while I pull off my frock.”

“Don't”, said Jenny in an agitated manner, “let's have tea first.” “No I must finish it”, and as she spoke she undid her dress, and slipped it off. A beautiful handsome pair of breasts came in view. “Oh! Lord look at my chemise, — look how I've sweated—see how the stain from the dress has gone through under my arms, — I stink of sweat, — how glad I shall be when the weather is cooler.” As she said that with a slight effort she drew her arms through the sleeves of her chemise, and lifting her freed arms showed a pair of black hairy armpits. I began to thrill and cock-stiffen. She lifted her fine arms up, and looked at the stained chemise as it hung over her stays, then with a heave and a push she freed her breasts, so that they were right over the top of her stays showing the nipples; then with naked arms, she began to work at the sleeves of the dress hanging up behind the door.

Jenny was all this time moving about in a restless manner, taking every now and then a hurried glance at the valance of the bed which concealed me; and as it seemed to me placing herself in such a position, as to prevent my seeing her sister's upper nakedness; but it was quite useless, I could see all she had exposed.