An excerpt from the book: Feminine Ways: a Handbook for the Maturing Girl, written and illustrated by Wisterhya Rosethorn
- A copy of the book can be purchased from Kelynn or found in the Scholar Hall library. They will soon be available in The Shire also.
"
...This day, Lilly is eager to meet with Grandmother Willow.
"Mother, mother!" She yells, running into her room with light blonde hair swaying behind her.
Grandmother Willow appears and says: "What is it, my daughter?"
Lilly blushes bright pink and hides her face in her hands while she says: "There is a lad I fancy. How do I make him mine?"
Grandmother Willow smiles proudly and goes to sit. She answers Lilly's question like so:
"My darling daughter, there is no single way to make a lad yours. In the end, he is a lad just like you are a lass, and he cannot be forced to be yours, for he will not be happy.
What you wish to do, is to court him, and there are as many methods as there are stars in the night. I will give you some insight, but first let me tell you about courting: You may ask him, or he may ask you, to start courting. You may otherwise find yourself in a moment, where you both realize, that you are courting and you admit it to each other. No way is the right way.
What is important, is that if you wish to stop courting, you say so. There is no less lady-like thing than to be courting multiple lads at one time. You will need to commit and devote yourself to courting him. Everything I have taught you about being a feminine woman applies here: tend to him, create for him and make his surroundings beautiful.
On the topic of how to court the lad: it is essential that you do not change for him. If a shy girl acts boisterous around a lad, he will find it odd. A boisterous lass may become shy around the lad, but that is only if she is naturally inclined to do so.
My darling daughter, here is an important lesson:
Time is the more valuable the coin.
Any lass can go to the market and buy her lad a pie, but it takes time, money and skill to bake him a pie. Give him your time! Spend your time with him as much as appropriate, for you are a gift also.
(...)
Back to the topic of time, here is a list of ideas to gift him, that require time:
- A knitted pair of gloves that match his coat
- A tin of homemade biscuits
- A sewn linen pouch in his favorite colour
- A wool case for his pipe
- A sewn neckerchief
- A loaf of fresh bread that is still hot
(..)
Do not become impatient. You know that this is a feminine virtue."
Lilly suggests: "What if it has been a long time, and he has not yet asked me to wed him? Do I not urge him?"
Grandmother Willow responds: "You must be gracefully patient. Time is valuable, and you may have given him years of your life. Other good folk will know this, and they will begin to talk. Then, if he still hesitates, his parents will urge him.
The longer you wait, the more he owes you, and a bigger ring he will offer..!"
"
On the final page, there is a hatched illustration of an engament ring with a large gem.
