Anna: On Entering the House

How do you see yourself filling your days?
"As mistress of the house I imaging my main duty would be to organise the family's social life - but in the evenings, if we were on our own, I should enjoy sketching and reading, maybe we could take turns to read out loud to one another. I should take up my needlework again, tapestry, and making lace, (I have a large collection of antique lace bobbins)."

"We might play cards or parlour games, and sing. Last year I started to teach myself the piano, but didn't get very far, through pressure of time, but I should like to practice again. John and I are great opera-goers, and there might be an opportunity there, as the autumn is the season for the touring opera companies."

Do you have any worries?
"One of the problems I envisage is hanging on to my figure in the face of these huge meals, but both Avril and I are keen walkers and would both leap at the opportunity to ride side-saddle."

"I do think it would take time to get over my guilt at having people to do things for me - this is going to be a very heavy work load for the poor maids, but having adapted to a life of pleasure and leisure, how would I ever return to the grind of normality?"

"More importantly, would I subsequently get my husband to resign his role as unquestioned head of the family? I have worries about how I will react to the formality of life, the need to be circumspect at all times, the lack of make-up, but I will love the clothes."