Summary: Period: 19th Century By Don D'Ammassa Read by Malcolm Grieve I do so enjoy a picnic,” said Miss Harrington. “I feel that it's quite important not to lose touch with the natural world. Don't you agree with me, Mr. Shaw?” Artemus Shaw disguised his incredulity with a pretended cough, bobbed his head vaguely. They were seated on cushioned chairs in a screen house almost within view of Harrington Hall. The servants had brought china place settings, sterling silver flatware, and crystal wineglasses from the house, arranging them on the marble topped table that the groundskeepers had carried out earlier in the day. Their meal had been carefully trundled from the kitchen on wheeled carts, kept warm by chafing dishes whose oil fueled heaters were efficiently sheltered from any stray breeze that might blow them out. They were dining on stuffed Cornish hens and drinking wine freshly imported from France, while the servants kept watch for any stray insect that might have penetrated the fine mesh of the fabric stretched over the ornate framework that surrounded them. Artemus was dressed plainly but practically while Miss Winifred Harrington was fully coifed and corseted, her only concession to their “natural” surroundings having been the choice of relatively sensible footwear. Even her parasol was more decorative than functional. So tell me about your adventures, Mr. Shaw. You promised to do so. Father says you've been quite reticent but I assured him that I'd draw you out.” Link to the book Being Wrong by Kathryn Schulz mentioned in the outro.
