Knowledge
"What do you think he is doing?"
Elsie and their young Irish maid Mona hung sheets on the line as Charles stood at the far end of the back garden, his hands clasped behind his back. He was looking in the direction of where the women hung the laundry, but he seemed to be deeply concentrating, his gaze towards the ground just past Elsie's legs.
"Mr. Carson is a very knowledgeable man, Mona. He has met princes and kings and prime ministers. I imagine he is contemplating something quite serious."
"Is that where his knowledge comes from? Meeting princes and prime ministers? I thought you went to school for knowledge?" The young woman's question wasn't impertinent, but sincere.
Elsie considered how to answer. It was true Charles had left school at eleven like most of the other working class lads his age, but he had been a voracious reader all his life; his tastes spreading from history to poetry to the classics, he generally had a reference for every occasion. This knowledge, along with his experiences as butler in a fine stately home, certainly made him a very educated man as far as Elsie was concerned.
"School is one way to obtain knowledge. But there is much knowledge to be gained through life experience, Mona. We gain knowledge from every one of our experiences, from the people we meet and the challenges we face. Life is an ongoing pursuit of knowledgea; taking what we have learned and applying it in ways that improve not only our lives, but the lives of those around us."
The young woman digested Elsie's words. "If you ask me, you are the one with the knowledge, Mrs. Carson." Securing the last sheet to the line, she picked up the empty basket, "Should I clean the dining room next?"
Elsie smiled at the pretty freckle faced lass, "Yes, please. Thank you."
Elsie was picking up a few dropped pegs when she felt her husband wrap his arms around her waist. Raising up so that her head rested against his chest, she looked up at him with a smile, "You seemed a man in deep contemplation over there, Charles. Have you some impressive bit of knowledge to impart?"
Charles gave her a funny look. "I don't think it is an impressive bit of knowledge, but I did figure something out."
"Do tell."
"When you don't wear a slip, I can see right through your skirt."