Alice Wetherby Pimms had a penchant for collecting governesses. Of her many peculiarities, this was perhaps the most curious, for in the first seven and three-quarter years of her young life, shipping magnate Roderick Pimms’ only child had procured precisely eleven of them. Rounding up, this would make it an average of 1.5 nannies in a twelve month period that had been employed to entertain the girl’s every whim. Imagine half a nanny. It conjures a frightful image, does it not? Nonetheless, many have attributed the ladies’ dismissals to Alice’s love of P. L. Travers fictitious character Mary Poppins.
This may clarify the child’s constant dissatisfaction with them; however, it does not explain their disappearance once they’d been terminated.
Now I’m sure you’re questioning how on earth a mere child, since being little more than a babe in nappies, could be responsible for the shelving of a qualified chain of caregivers. The truth is, the girl had a confounding way of wrapping her dear father about her pudgy little pinky ever since overhearing a distraught Mrs. Pimms suggest that her newborn’s wee digits resembled a squirm of meal worms.
Indeed, once Alice’s mother was completely out of the picture, it wasn’t solely the whimper, the wail, and the pout that caused the young tycoon to cave on his child’s every wish, but the single tear that Alice managed to conjure into a miniscule pool in the corner of one blue eye (it didn’t really matter which one either). There it would linger just the right length of a moment before proceeding to glide down her rosy cheek and disappear into the crease at the very edge of that pout. Although, upon witnessing it once myself, I am certain it was the plump pink tongue that flicked the droplet away that clinched the deal.
The first to be sacked was Nanny Miller. The retired soprano sang “Rock-a-Bye-Baby” one time too many while tucking baby Alice in for the night. It seems the child had no use for nightmares of cradles crashing from treetops.
Second, was Nanny Pitchforth. After the Miller debacle, the portly matron was axed once Alice had outgrown using the woman’s ample bosom as a bed. It seems Nanny Pitchforth’s thighs were not plush enough to complete the transition.
Soon afterwards, Ms. Diggleswit was dismissed for having a wandering eye. Not one of a physical nature, but one for Mr. Pimms, whose own eye for Alice’s welfare had turned blind shortly before the twenty-something-year-old had moved out of the nursery and into Mr. Pimms’ study.
The list went on, and on, and on:
One being booted for first reprimanding Alice for lighting matches in the mansion’s library, and then extinguishing the fire under the Steinway in a timely fashion…
Another let go for releasing Alice’s tutor from the walk-in freezer before first removing the Darjeeling from the teapot, thus allowing it to steep far too long and turn bitter…
The next was given her marching orders for raising her voice when she stumbled upon Alice throwing building blocks at passers-by from her second story bedroom window…
And one was even made redundant for not properly starching the child’s favorite frock.
Miss Petherbridge, who insisted upon not being called Nanny but Ms. P, lasted the longest. I’m inclined to believe that it was the intoxicating lily-of-the-valley vapor hovering over her pale skin which stirred memories of Alice’s mother that gave Ms. P the edge. Not to mention, her crimped auburn plaits that tickled Alice’s nose whenever she leaned over the child to point out spelling errors during lessons.
And yet, the young woman’s braids might just as well have been the impetus for her short-lived length of employment.
Indeed, judging from Miss Petherbridge’s new position…
it would appear the latter was the case.
Thank you to Marjorie Ford’s Pinterest collection of antique dolls for helping to round out this little ditty. Alice Wetherby-Pimms is turning out to be quite a character.
Thank you too, my dear Reader, for stopping by this week.
Cheers!
Donna Gwinnell Lambo-Weidner 
The nannies names are a hoot – Diggleswit! I think I have a new epithet! “OMG, what a Diggleswit!” Isn’t inspiration the most mercurial being? Were you just perusing Pinterest (which I have given up because it is like a bottle labeled “Drink me”) when you came across the photo? Young Miss Pimms is certainly a pip. Lovely characterization through the nannies.
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I hardly ever check out Pinterest. My garden already has enough rabbit holes to fall into. It just happened to have nanny-like images to add to Ms. P’s final resting place. As for Diggleswit – I like your idea. Let’s run with it and see how long it takes to get into the Urban Dictionary. Thank’s Susanne – for always stopping by and sharing a thoughtful word or two (or ten or …) You make me 🙂
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Alice certainly seems a grueling taskmaster! I’m not sure whether being in favour would be a good thing or a bad thing!
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Looks like either way you’re fff…oredoomed. Maybe when she’s a bit older she’ll change. For now though, thanks so much for taking the time to read and share your thoughts, Torrie!
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Ha! Alice is back! I certainly hope her doting, dotty papa doesn’t take it into his head to take her sailing on one of his ships. One can imagine her climbing to the crows-nest and dropping cannonballs much to the consternation and crossness of the crew. Of course, in her inimitable style, she would demand to slide down the sails, paint the poop deck, and rip the robands. What a child! I look forward to more of her “adventures.” 😀
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Paint the poop deck, eh? Alice’s ears just perked up. I think you’ve stirred the pot there. Thanks Lyn!
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Hee hee hee that’s what I was hoping 😉
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I love Alice and her braids. Look forward to reading more.
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Thanks Annina. I’m sure she’ll be around for a while yet. 🙂
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Looking at Ms. P’s depiction and her decidedly Valkyrian carriage I wonder if her name wasn’t Frau Huhnbrücken.
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Good call. She was incognito. ❤
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great job, once again. The choices of words definitely evoked Mary Poppins! As did the choice of names. Alice Wetherby Pimms is definitely turning out to be a character you love to hate or fear! I think it’s time for Daddy Pimms to take some action. Either that or submit Alice to a horror magazine. Those matches are definitely putting her on the way. Next think she’ll be torturing small animals!
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No. Alice loves animals! She’s just a bit spoiled and needs a little disciplining…
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This is wonderfully clever, hilarious and sick-I love it! Move over Roald Dahl, here comes Donna Weidner!
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Oh, geeze…can’t you set the bar a little lower? But then again Ralph Waldo Emerson said – “We aim above the mark to hit the mark.” So, thanks Jennifer! I’m on it! Hugs 🙂
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