SCOTS Project - www.scottishcorpus.ac.uk Document : 987 Title : A Picturesque Character Author(s): Prof Christian Kay Copyright holder(s): Prof Christian Kay Text 6.11.53. Christian Kay, IIa A Picturesque Character Miss Gracie Paterson may be described as a 'lady help.' She resides in a tiny house above the Fish Inn in Trawler Square, Newhaven. A dusty, brass-potted aspidistra, partially shrouded by lace curtains of intricate design, graces her front window. I have never actually been inside her house, but from the many voluble descriptions it seems to be a palace of many curiosities and much furniture. She herself is small and wiry with iron-grey hair scraped back into a knot, a prominent nose and sharp grey eyes which absorb every detail. Miss Pat as she was nicknamed many years ago has numerous relatives, indeed, everybody in Newhaven seems to be related to everybody else for in every tram she sees somebody that she knows and one has just to mention an aquaintance to be drenched with their exact position as regards Miss Paterson and with all their vices, and virtues - if any. Miss Paterson is interested in singing and is an eminent member of the Fisher-Lassies choir. Attired in her voluminous striped petticoats, her vocal ability enables her to visit many parts of the country and she always returns knowing much about the inhabitants and the social life but little about the scenery. Miss Pat's voice is her fortune for she is rarely silent, but perhaps this is due to living alone. An ardent admirer of Jimmy Logan whom she considers 'comical' Gracie herself appears to be the local comedienne. She has a great aversion to hurrying and does her work in a leisurely fashion. Although employed for a morning she arrives for coffee at ten-thirty, lunches at three and departs after a 'fly cup' at five thirty. Her real passion is brass and she would polish industriously anything from a guide badge to a brass fender. She is also passionately interested in humanity. Her standards of judging people are very high for if one does not possess a fur coat one is not held very high in her estimation. A certain species of pan drop appeals strongly to her and these she procures from a friend who is proprietor of a fish-restaurant. Miss Pat, with her endearing peculiarities is a lovable character though at times a trifle too interested in one's affairs. She is intimately aquainted with the families for whom she works and is treated by them as a respected friend. This work is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. The SCOTS Project and the University of Glasgow do not necessarily endorse, support or recommend the views expressed in this document. Information about document and author: Text Text audience Adults (18+): Audience size: 1 Writer knew intended audience: Text details Method of composition: Handwritten Year of composition: 1953 Word count: 409 General description: Secondary school English essay Text setting Education: Text type Essay: Author Author details Author id: 606 Title: Prof Forenames: Christian Surname: Kay Gender: Female Decade of birth: 1940 Educational attainment: University Age left school: 18 Upbringing/religious beliefs: Protestantism Occupation: Academic Place of birth: Edinburgh Region of birth: Midlothian Birthplace CSD dialect area: midLoth Country of birth: Scotland Place of residence: Glasgow Region of residence: Glasgow Residence CSD dialect area: Gsw Country of residence: Scotland Father's place of birth: Leith Father's region of birth: Midlothian Father's birthplace CSD dialect area: midLoth Father's country of birth: Scotland Mother's place of birth: Edinburgh Mother's region of birth: Midlothian Mother's birthplace CSD dialect area: midLoth Mother's country of birth: Scotland Languages: Language: English Speak: Yes Read: Yes Write: Yes Understand: Yes Circumstances: All Language: Scots Speak: No Read: Yes Write: No Understand: Yes Circumstances: Work