She had established her position solely by her wits.
She did not spend a quarter as much as Mrs. Colston, but she always
looked better. She was well shaped, to begin with, and the fit of
her garments was perfect. Not a wrinkle was to be seen in gown,
gloves, or shoes. Mrs. Colston's fashion was that imposed on her by
the dressmaker, but Ms. Butcher always had a style peculiarly her
own. She knew the secret that a woman's attractiveness, so far as
it is a matter of clothes, depends far more upon the manner in which
they are made and worn than upon costliness. It was always thought
that she ruled her husband and had just a spice of contempt for him.
She gained thereby in Eastthorpe, at least with the men, for her
superiority to him gave her an air which was slightly detached,
free, and fascinating. She always drove when she went out with him,
and it was really a sight worth seeing she bolt upright with her
hands well down, her pretty figure showing to the best advantage the
neat turn-out--for she was very particular on this point and
understood horses thoroughly--and Butcher, leaning back, submissive
but satisfied. She had made friends with the women too. She was
much too shrewd to incur their hostility by openly courting the
admiration of their husbands. She knew they did admire her, and
that was enough. She was most deferential to Mrs. Colston, so much
so that the brewer's wife openly expressed the opinion that she was
evidently well bred, and wondered how Butcher managed to secure her.
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