Thursday, 18 Aug 05
Perhaps.
“…and with increased prosperity Mike Darcy bought his wife jewellery. There was an emerald pendant, there were diamonds. Nobody in Shancarrig had ever known such extravagance. Quite unsuitable, Richard’s Aunt Ethel had said, shaking her head about it.
Richard agreed from the bottom of his heart.
To his surprise young Niall had the opposite view.
“What do people work for if it isn’t to get themselves what they want?” he asked.
“I hope you wouldn’t throw your money away on emeralds for Gloria Darcy and her like,” his father said dismissively.
These days Niall answered back. “I’m not sure what you mean by ‘her like’, but if I loved someone and I earned my money lawfully I would feel very justified in spending it on presents for her.”
Suddenly the room was silent and drab. Aunt Ethel looked at her son in some surprise. On her cardigan there was no jewellery; there never had been any except the engagement ring, wedding ring, and a good watch. Perhaps life might have been better if Bill Hayes had visited a shop and looked at jewels.”
~Maeve Binchy ‘The Copper Beech’
JADEITE