Downport

Two weeks after she reached Paris she awoke and found herself famous; she, Theodora North, to whom, as yet, Downport and shabbiness, and bread-and-butter cutting, were the only things that appeared real enough not to vanish at a touch.

Theo A Sprightly Love Story Frances Hodgson Burnett 1886

And in like manner she was whirled through the thronged streets of London, when she reached that city at night, only that Lady Throckmorton's velvet-lined carriage was less disposed to rattle and jerk over the stones, and more disposed to an aristocratic, easily-swung roll than the musty vehicle of the Downport cabman.

Theo A Sprightly Love Story Frances Hodgson Burnett 1886

The nice little company-dinner reminded her of it; the solitary little roast fowl and the preserves and puddings; but the company-dinners at Downport had always been detracted from by the sharp annoyance in Pam's face, and the general domestic bustle, and the total inadequacy of gravy and stuffing to the wants of the boys.

Theo A Sprightly Love Story Frances Hodgson Burnett 1886

She had never seen such dresses in Downport before.

Theo A Sprightly Love Story Frances Hodgson Burnett 1886

She would have gone back to Downport with him, to the old life; to the mending, and bread-and-butter cutting, and shabby dresses; she would have taken it all up again cheerfully, without thinking for one moment that she had made a sacrifice.

Theo A Sprightly Love Story Frances Hodgson Burnett 1886

Novels had been delightful at Downport, when they were read in hourly fear of the tasks that always interfered to prevent any indulgence; but in those days, for some reason, they were not as satisfactory as they appeared once, and so being thrown on her own resources, she succumbed to the very natural girlish weakness of feeling a sort of fascination for

Theo A Sprightly Love Story Frances Hodgson Burnett 1886

The letters that were faithfully written to Downport during the following month were the cause of no slight excitement in the house of

Theo A Sprightly Love Story Frances Hodgson Burnett 1886

Its elaborate richness and length of train changed the undeveloped girl, to whom she had given a farewell glance in the small mirror at Downport, to the stateliest of tall young creatures.

Theo A Sprightly Love Story Frances Hodgson Burnett 1886

There were no bells in the house at Downport, and no servants to answer if any one had rang one, and, very naturally,

Theo A Sprightly Love Story Frances Hodgson Burnett 1886

It bore, in dingy black letters, the word "Downport."

Theo A Sprightly Love Story Frances Hodgson Burnett 1886