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Sandra Wagner-Wright
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Two Coins: A Biographical Novel (Women of Determination and Courage)
Literature & Fiction
Author Insight
Everyone's Coffee is Cold
Mary Pigot returned from Crieff to Edinburgh to find out if the Ladies' Association will retain her as Lady Superintendent of the Female Mission in Calcutta. Mrs. Stevenson tells Mary the Ladies ruled in her favor, but agreed to a stipulation from the Foreign Mission Committee. There will be a Consulting Committee in Calcutta; Mary won't be independent any more. Both women experience feelings of unhappiness and relief with the result. Relief that Mary can retain her position. But, Mary is unhappy that she'll have to deal with a committee not disposed to favor her work. And Mrs. Stevenson is unhappy to realize that the Ladies' Association doesn't really operate independently. Sometimes you lose even if you win.
Book Excerpt
Two Coins: A Biographical Novel (Women of Determination and Courage)
Mrs. Stevenson faces me and shakes her head. “Miss Pigot, I’m sorry we couldn’t come to a more satisfactory arrangement. There’s no easy way to say this. The Corresponding Board in Calcutta will name from its members a Consulting Committee to oversee the Female Mission.”
No doubt one filled with my enemies.
“The Lady Superintendent, that is to say you, will have a seat on this new committee and an equal voice on all matters.” Mrs. Stevenson returns to her chair leaving me at the window. I dimly hear a train whistle and observe the soot on the sandstone buildings. Equal voice indeed. One among how many? I collect myself and return to my place. Everyone’s coffee is cold. Mrs. Williamson rings for a fresh pot as we all sit silently. When it arrives, she pours it out. Steam circles over the table.
“What exactly is my relationship to this Consulting Committee?” I ask.
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