Esther M. Zimmer Lederberg
Etiquette of Ceremonial Visits

Pardiggle

Mrs. Pardiggle, with a missionarie's moral indignation, sees it as her "obligation" to impose upon people in the greatest misery, that she might rightiously convey her "moral light" upon those in the brickmaker's "home". This "visit" is "ceremonial" (meaningless). Perhaps the people feel like monkeys in a zoo, being observed as an "example" of moral degeneracy? certainly, Mrs. Pardiggle cannot understand their lives (nor even her professed religious tracts) as she can offer no help, and couldn't imagine lowering herself anyway. In response to Mrs. Pardiggle's questions (her immoral behaviour), could she possibly understand what she is told as anything other than immorality? Certainly, her visits are not welcome: are NEVER returned, nor would they be received!

"Is my daughter a-washin? Yes, she is a-washin. Look at the water. Smell it! That's wot we drinks. How do you like it, and what do you think of gin, instead! An't my place dirty? Yes, it is dirty — it's nat'rally dirty, and it's nat'rally onwholesome; and we've had five dirty and onwholesome children, as is all dead infants, and so much the better for them, and for us besides. Have I read the little book wot you left? No, I an't read the little book wot you left. There an't nobody here as knows how to read it; and if there wos, it wouldn't be suitable to me. It's a book fit for a babby, and I'm not a babby. If you was to leave me a doll, I shouldn't nuss it."

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