The Salamanca Corpus: Yeoman Fleetwood (1900 ... - Gredos

The Salamanca Corpus: Yeoman Fleetwood (1900)
After these explanations she looked pensively round the table, directing her glance
particularly towards the glass dish which had already attracted her attention, and which
Simon now hastily handed to her.
“I have been wondering what that pretty little shape can be made of," she said, pausing
with uplifted spoon. "If it be blackberry, well and good— I like blackberry jelly,
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but if it be black currant, then I fear I must content myself with admiring, for I must
own that is a dainty I cannot endure — it reminds me too much of coughs and colds. So
you see I think it prudent to inquire before I commit myself"
"It is neither one nor the other, Miss Charnock. ‘Tis damson cheese, which you must
often have tasted, for sure — 'tis a favourite dish wi’ Lancashire folk."
"Nay, indeed, I never have," cried Rachel, and the hovering spoon descended quickly on
the shining little pyramid. "Cheese! A curious name surely. But the preserve, my dear
Miss Fleetwood, is excellent. Why do we never have it at the Hall?"
“I wonder indeed that it should be so," said Miss Fleetwood, with the astonishment and
concern natural in so experienced a manager. "I fear me the housekeeper yonder must
be a thriftless body, if one may make bold to say so. I've heard she comes from London,
or somewhere south, and that would account for it; but it is a pity, indeed, madam, with
that beautiful damson orchard at the Hall and all. But it is not too late for this year," she
added hopefully. "We are nobbut just making ours now."
"Oh, do let me come and see you make it," cried Rachel eagerly, with a spring of delight
on her chair. "I should love to of all things. You must know that I am a very great
housekeeper. I can make puddings and pies, and jelly, too; though sometimes I cannot
help squeezing the bag to make it run through quicker, and then it is not so clear. And I
can make an omelette. You see in my mother's country it is thought useful for ladies to
know how to do these things, and my grandmother taught me to be very clever in such
matters. I dare to say. Miss Fleetwood, that I could even teach you some curious
recipes. You have never, I wager,