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Nazua Idris is a PhD student in Literary Studies in the Department of English, Washington State University. Her research interest involves exploration of the intersections of 19th and early 20th century transatlantic literature, textual studies, postcolonial and decolonial digital humanities, and digital and decolonial pedagogies.
Sydney Lines is a Ph.D. candidate in English at the University of British Columbia and Project Manager of
See the Biographical Timeline for biographical information on Winnifred Eaton.
Joey Takeda is the Technical Director of
Collection of Winnifred Eaton’s papers and unpublished manuscripts, which were transferred to the University of Calgary in 1982. The finding aid for this material is located here: https://searcharchives.ucalgary.ca/winnifred-eaton-reeve-fonds
Tough Girl
Mamie Tobin was a thorn in the side of Magistrate Emily Jenkins. Thrice she had committed the girl to reform institutions. Mamie was not dishonest; no criminal charge had been preferred against her, and she could hardly be described as vicious or immoral; none the lessing
When the thoroughly infuriated magistrate demanded of the tough girl what she had to say to this latest charge, namely, of striking her own mother in the face, Mamie burst into raucous laughter, and shouted defiantly that her sweet mother gave her a pain in the neck.
For these outrageous words in a solemn court of law, Mamie got a terrific tongue lashing and twelvebe seeing old Rain in the Face again--in hell
. Nor did she trouble to offer the quite legitimate defense that her mother’s blackened eye and bruises were the result of a struggles to prevent the drunken old woman from smashing Mamie on the head with a heavy gin bottle.
Mamie’s advent into Miss Trehern’s quiet life was a disastrous one, so far as Miss Trehern’s trade was concerned. She lost some of her high class customers on the girl’s account. This did not seriously affect her, as Miss Trehern was not wholly dependent upon her vegetables. She was known in Graytown as the Vegetable lady
, some stress being laid on the word lady
. She operated a vegetable garden on the edge of the city, which she planted and cared for herself. No one knew her intimately in Graytown, though she had built up a flourishing trade, and was spoken of with respect, despite the curiosity excited by something mysterious about her. All that was known about her in the town was that a few years before she had come from England to Graytown and had bought the old Burton homestead. She had turned the wild gardens into a well ordered and attractive vegetable and fruit farm. Her vegetables were always fresher and better than those to be had elsewhere in the town and as she never seemed to know the market price of things, one easily got stuff at a lower
Mamie burst into Miss Trehern’s quiet life on a sunny afternoon in July. She was, in fact, caught red handed stealing radishes. One of her highly rouged cheeks was still swelling with the radish within when Miss Trehern came down the path.
Since her sojourn at Petrola, the tough girl had surprised probation officers and welfare workers, the police and magistrates by committing no further act that warranted her being haled before her mentors. Undoubtedly Petrola
There was a long
Mamie, who was fleet footed and agile as a young acrobat, gave one swift glimpse at the approaching Miss Trehern, then leaped for the wall. Her grasp of a wild cucumber vine broke. She skinned a knee on the stone wall itself, and turned to the nearest tree. A moment later, she was climbing up and out along a limb that hung above the wall. Escape now was merely a matter of dropping upon the wall, and from there down to the street without. Mamie was making electrically swift progress
Get down from that tree. Come now! Make it snappy!
Her first thought was: The Police!
, and it was characteristic of the tough girl to snarl back defiantly:
Come and make
The reply was:
I’ll count three. Then I shall be obliged to--shoot!
Even a tough girl has no desire to be shot. Mamie expeditiously jumped down to the ground below.
She found herself looking directly at a strange young man, who was leaning negligently against the wall, with his arm still held out, as if he were pointing a gun. There was nothing in his hand but an apple, and the young man was trying to scowl at the culprit as sternly as
In describing him as a strange young man
, it might be explained that Mamie knew by sight at least (if not by more intimate acquaintance) most of the young men of Graytown, but she had never before seen the man who had forced her to jump from the tree. Moreover he did not look at all like a Graytown resident. Nor was his speech of the Graytown type.
Ah hah!
said he. So you’re the one who’s been rifling Miss Trehern’s fruit trees and bushes
.
Mamie gave him a cool, impudent sneer.
What about yourself
said she, looking
At this juncture Miss Trehern came swiftly along the path, her basket full of vegetables, and her faded near sighted blue eyes straining toward the girl by the tree.
What is it, Archie? Who is this girl
.
I just dropped in to buy a few radishes
said Mamie, and seeing no one around I started to gather some myself, when this bird-----
Miss Trehern was quite close to Mamie now. She was staring at the girl with a singularly intent and almost startled expression. It discomfited Mamie, and she said roughly after a moment:
Guess you’ll know me when you see me next
.
I
said Miss Trehern gently. I always stare at girls like that. I have to do it.
She was fumbling for her glasses.
Does’nt matter who I am
said Mamie roughly. I told you I just dropped in to buy some radishes
.
Oh I see. I don’t blame you for liking radishes. I do myself. When I was a little girl I was particularly fond of them. Theres some fine ones over here---see, the white kind
.
Ostentatiously Mamie opened her
How much for this much?
she inquired.
This much
was the handful still grasped when she had clambered up the tree.
said Miss Trehern, smiling.
The young man, who had eaten his apple right down to the core was grinning too. Mamie’s pride rose up in arms. Her head went up. She had a curious way of tossing her head, like a young colt, and Miss Trehern was staring wide eyed at her again.
Listen lady
, said Mamie, I guess I can afford to pay for what I buy--see
.
Very well
said Miss Trehern. Three cents
.
Mamie extended a five cent piece. As she held out her hand for the change, the vegetable lady went a pace nearer to her, and stared at the girl with that strangely searching gaze. She said almost breathlessly:
I feel as if we’d known each other. I’m sure we have
.
Occasionally I pass your place
said Mamie. Specially when the peaches are ripe
.
She laughed then, and her laughter seemed to startle Miss Trehern.
Don’t go yet---don’t go--
she said. Wait a bit
.
She had put on her glasses. She put her hand to her forehead and for a moment stood very still, like someone almost in a trance. Mamie felt
uncomfortable. Perhaps the old girl was bughouse
, was her thought.
The young man had quietly come to Miss Trehern’s side and without a word he put his arm protectingly around her thin shoulders.
Archie, she looks like
What nonsense. You must not imagine every girl you see resembles her
.
I don’t; but this girl is uncannily like her
.
How can you say that?
he demanded, his lowered voice roughly chiding, just as if he were speaking to a child. Just look at that girl. Don’t you see how ridiculous the idea is
.
The hot sun beat down relentlessly on Mamie’s peroxided head, mercilessly accentuated the painted cheeks, the blackened eye lashes, the vivid red of her lips.
I
said Miss Trehern, and I see what you see; but something else too--let me go Archie. I must speak to her
.
Impatiently she shook off the young man’s grasp and approached nearer to the scowling, now panic stricken Mamie. Mamie did’nt know why she was suddenly afraid of this woman. She wanted to take to her heels and put a great distance between them. But, of course, a girl could’nt do that--not with the cynical, almost mocking smile of that fellow bent upon her.
Miss Trehern spoke somewhat breathlessly. When excited her heart somewhat failed her, and even digitalis with which the specialists doped her could not always be depended upon.
I once knew a little girl
she said, Who had
.
You mind your own business what I do to my own eyes and hair
returned Mamie fiercely.
The young man behind Miss Trehern frowned, shaking his head at Mamie. He again took Miss Trehern’s arm, and said with briskness:
What say we go to the house. Must be tea time, what?
Do leave me alone
said Miss Trehern sharply. Can’t I speak to a girl without your interfering
.
She was following Mamie now. The tough girl was walking backward, her pace increasing. Mamie’s panic thought was:
The old girl’s bughouse
. Withal her alarm she was invaded by an immense feeling that she would have been ashamed to name as pity. She was so sorry for the little woman looking at her with that straining poignant gaze, that Mamie had much ado to hold back the turbulent tears that threatened to burst through.
Wait--do wait, just a moment. Please do
.
Miss Trehern’s voice was almost pleading.
What for?
asked Mamie huskily. I already paid for the radishes, and I got a date. I got to run
.
But there’s no hurry.
Now if there was one thing the fifteen year old tough girl did love it was cantaloupe.
Sure I like them
she admitted reluctantly, but I come on out without much dough
.
A dimple twinkled for just a moment in Mamie’s left cheek, and the row of strong white teeth showed through
Of course, you can charge a cantaloupe to my account if you like
.
The tough girl’s face looked suddenly like that of a child’s. A spasm twisted like a freak over the features of the vegetable lady.
I can’t bear it!
she said in a whisper, and sat down weakly on the stump of an ivy covered tree, her face cupped in her hands.
Mamie felt uncomfortable. She did not know what to do or say, and she glared from the crouching little figure on the tree stump to the now no longer smiling young Englishman. His words gave her the clue to what she should do.
Oh - er-- goodbye Miss---what was the name?
Tobin
said Mamie hoarsely. Mamie Tobin
.
It was very quiet in Miss Trehern’s garden. She could hear the hum of a
Tea? What say?
Miss Trehern lifted her head absently, sighed.
May as well
she said. She paused, looking rather wistfully at Archie.
There was a resemblance Archie. I suppose I did seem silly--but I
Yes--if you would like it
.
She brushed her hand across her eyes, sighed again, then looked up at him somewhat ruefully.
I’m a nuisance I know, and I’m spoiling your visit
.
Not a bit of it
he denied vigorously. The main thing is to make
.
Happy?
she repeated the word wonderingly, almost bitterly. The exhilaration she had felt while the tough girl was there had its reaction. She felt innervated and tired.
I feel old
she said, leaning on his arm heavily as they moved down the flowering path toward the house.
The Catherwells were highly respected and important people of the City of Graytown. Mrs. Catherwell, whose personality dominated so many of social and welfare clubs of the city, was credited with having made
her husband. Besides being an esteemed ornament of the legal profession, Norman Catherwell was a member of numerous lodges, fraternal societies and organizations.
They were excellent customers of Miss Trehern’s, and they took a personal interest in that dear little lonely old maid
. They had even patronized her to the extent of inviting her to tea at the Catherwell mansion (as the newspapers always referred to the big Catherwell home), and Mrs. Catherwell had been quite piqued with the little Englishwoman for refusing to share in the social activities of the town;
When, therefore, about two weeks after the advent of Mamie Tobin into the Trehern gardens, the Catherwell sedan stopped in front of the Burton homestead, and not only Mrs. Catherwell, but the distinguished member of the bar himself stepped out, the Vegetable lady hastened down the path smilingly to greet them. She held up a large hubbard squash in her gloved hands. She was very proud of that squash, the first of the season, and unusually firm and large. Miss Trehern, as we have said, was smiling, and her smile was a charming thing to see, despite its poignancy.
How do you do, Mrs. Catherwell
she greeted them. Do you know you are just in time. I’ve a lovely lot of freshly picked Chinese greens. I’ve been experimenting with them
them all summer, and Chum Lee says mine are better than his. My soil’s good----really wonderful, and Oh--I want you to see my vegetable marrows---Mamie!
Mamie was in the heart of a field of early sweet corn. She had one of Miss Trehern’s large cretonne aprons on her. The great pockets in front bulged with the corn Mamie put into them, as she plucked the ears.
Thrusting his head from between the staves of corn, and pushing in his own work Archie Trehern challenged her.
Tell you what I’ll do Mamie.
.
Mamie’s reply was a withering look of scorn. Her peroxided, cheaply permanently waved head tossed back.
How about it?
demanded Archie pleasantly. Take me up
?
Mamie invited Miss Trehern’s nephew to sit on a tack. Unsquelched, he proceeded with his argument.
Look here, Mamie, you’d not be such a tough looking little girl if you took that make up off. What do you put it on for anyway. You don’t need it. Makes you look a fright--give you my word it does
.
This, according to Mamie’s way of thinking, was insulting. She flung an ear of corn at him, and it neatly smashed against his face. He retreated
Now a
he called at her.
Mamie invited him. This time to go to a very well warm place. She had promised Miss Trehern she’d try not to use bad language, so she used the wordletterH
instead of Hell
to designate the place where she suggested Archie should go. It was at this juncture that Miss Trehern called her. To Mrs. Catherwell she said pleasantly:
Just a minute and I’ll have Mamie bring you some to show you. You know Mamie has been helping me now for some time
.
Mrs. Catherwell put up her grey gloved hand expressively. Mamie was coming across, her apron bulging in front, and her arms loaded with corn; but above her loaded arms Mrs. Catherwell took note of the fact that the tough girl’s face was as brazen as ever. It was evident, that even
No--no, dear Miss Trehern. I’ve not come for vegetables today. I’ll send Anna over in the morning for some of those nice butter beans. But to get down to brass tacks---you know my dear we become quite up to date in our slang at the Elite culture club--- well, to get down to brass tacks----
Her affable expression was undergoing a curious change. Behind Miss Trehern’s back Mamie Tobin was making a frightful face at her. In point of fact mbacon
at her nose.
To put it simply
continued Mrs. Catherwell, we have called upon you today as a matter of painful duty. May we see you alone, Miss Trehern
?
Miss Trehern inclined her head politely. Of course, she knew just why the Catherwells were there. Others had been
Mamie, take the corn to the house, and if you like,
.
Mamie did not answer. Her face had darkened and she moved away sullenly. Not till she was out of sight did Mrs. Catherwell relieve herself. Her husband meanwhile stepped down between the rows of berry bushes, poking his stick here and there, snipping off pods of young peas, which he ate raw; sampling ripe gooseberries; also gorging on black raspberries and red currants. Though he had accompanied his wife upon this righteous expedition, he preferred to remove himself from the immediate war zone. His had been the hiding
behind the respectable skirts of an innocent and unsuspecting lady. However, Catherwell felt far from comfortable. In fact, as with the dignity of a young queen Mamie passed by him and cast a look of withering contempt upon him, the lawyer became irritably conscious of certain depths of
So you see, my dear, we felt we owed it to you let you know all of the facts and details in the case. Mr. Catherwell and I have done our very best in the poor creature’s behalf. I myself stood by her side, when the last sentence was passed upon her. I even accompanied her in the police car, receiving for thanks only the grossest kind of insult and impudence
.
If she were actually trying to lead a decent life, I would be the very last to discourage her; but, my dear, a
Leopard cannot change its spots
and you cannot make a sow’s purse out of a silk ear -- I mean a silk purse out of a sow’s ear---you know the proverb. The main thing is, we have before us a case of hopeless unregenerate---words fail me. I have come to you, dear Miss Trehern as a matter of duty. Our boys--I have a son myself of a very impressionable age--should be protected from
Mrs. Catherwell stopped abruptly,
Inside the house Miss Trehern found Mamie. The tough girl’s head was down, her face hidden on top of the mass of peas she had been trying to shell. No one had ever heard the tough girl cry. She was sobbing
Standing by the door, in incoherent discomfort, his hands in his coat pockets, his pipe in his mouth was Miss Trehern’s nephew.
She better look out for her own girls
raged Mamie She
Miss Trehern’s thin little hand smoothed Mamie’s dyed hair.
Now Mamie’ don’t cry.
.
Mamie still had her face covered, and her muffled voice came forth stormily.
They’re all damned cats---I mean D cats. I hate them. I wish they were all dead. Thats what we get for living in a bum town like this. Everybody lying and hating. Oh, I wish I had never been born. I wish I was dead. I wish
.
I’m your friend
said Miss Trehern stoutly. I don’t care what anyone says about you. You remind me of a little girl I loved with all my heart. So don’t worry about anything Mamie. We’re your friends---
Archie cleared his throat.
But they’ll take their dirty trade from you. I’m ruining your business
.
No you’re not. We’re not dependent on our vegetables, and we don’t have to stay here. I only took up gardening to have something to occupy my mind, while we were prosecuting a search. You know Mamie I was in very great
.Ten
That must’ve been the year we come out here
said Mamie, still mopping the vanishing tears.
So you understand that we’re the best of friends, Mamie. Its because you remind me of the little girl I lost
.
Mamie gulped, and a huge tear rolled down her cheek. Captain Trehern tramped up and down restlessly. He glared out through the window at the departing Catherwell’s.
Mamie said with a quivering lip:
I’m not good enough to be your friend. You don’t know all the things I’ve done. I guess Magistrate Jenkins was right, and I’m just no good---I’m a bad one. Any one’ll tell you that in Graytown. I’m no-notorious--that’s what I am
.
Poof! No girl of fifteen is notorious, and it
.three
The words had poured from the vegetable lady in a fevered torrent. Captain Trehern could not bear the scene. He
Miss Trehern was sitting on the chair opposite Mamie. The latter was gulping noisily.
I’m
said the tough girl. I wish I could do something to please you---can’t I, Miss Trehern?
Miss Trehern smiled brightly. An idea came to her.
Yes indeed you can, Mamie. Take all that make up off your face--won’t you, and let your hair come back to its right color. I know its brown,
.
Yes, it is, Miss Trehern--dark brown, and
.
Mamie was holding back the fringe of hair from her forehead. Miss Trehern was looking at her fixedly steadily. her eyes widened and bulging. The tears had washed away the black from Mamie’s
Mamie broke away from her, frightened, apprehensive. Captain Trehern tried to come between them, but Miss Trehern blindly pushed him aside.
Miriam!
she cried. I’m your
Trehern’s thought was: Good God! she’s gone out of her mind
, and Mamie expressed the same idea in her rough slang.
Say--have
? she said hoarsely.
No---but I’ve been blind---stone blind
said Miss
Trehern. How could I have had you with me day in and
.
Chills and shivers were running up Mamie’s back. Her mind was working with lightning swiftness. Suppose it were true. Suppose this dear woman was her own mother. Suppose she had been stolen as a child. Her supposings brought elements of
What do
.
As if she had not spoken at all Miss Trehern continued.
Miriam, I’ve been all over the world looking for you. We spared mothing in money or effort. Then my agents traced you to America---to this very town. I came out here. I used to look into the face of every girl I met, and the first time you looked at me directly, something happened to me---rose up in me just like a tidal wave. Oh I felt --I knew----
You keep away from me
Get out of my way I say. I’m going home!
This is your home!
Like fun it is
shouted the girl wildly, and head down, she plunged toward the door.
Once in the street, the tough girl ran as if she were pursued; as in fact she was. Captain Trehern was trailing the fleeing girl.
Mamie could not have analysed the tumultuous stirrings of her heart. She had but one blind instinct. To save Miss Trehern from herself. On and on she went; past rowdy boys and girls with whom she once swell
houses, or sprang back and forth over the tennis courts; girls who glanced at the tough girl askance and then looked away; girls whispering and laughing with the smartly dressed youths who knew Mamie well enough to hug her in some dark lane or on nocturnal joy rides, but were ashamed to tip their home
. Muddy curtains stirred slothfully in tatters from their cords in the feeble breeze. A fetid rancid breath smote her as she entered, and the groaning flight of flies hummed angrily above and about her
Mamie looked about her, mechanically moving her hand to brush away the flies that crawled up the sides and stuck to the cork of the bottle of gin that was propped in the loose lap of the clear eyed drowsing woman.
The hot air, the suffocating atmosphere of the
What d’you want here? Spying on my folks are you?
said Trehern. ListenI’m your friend. I know--I understand exactly why you ran away. You thought you were not good enough for Miss Trehern--that was it,
.
He reached out, caught Mamie’s futile little fist in his and held on to it firmly.
I’m, your friend, understand. We’re related--distant cousins, and I want you to look upon me as a sort of brother, will you Mamie. Why youngster, you can say anything to me---you can even cry if you want! There---blubber all you want, little girl. You can’t carry a cup brimful
.
Miss Trehern stood on the street corner,
Whats the trouble?
asked the driver.
Would you give me a lift
asked the bareheaded
Little woman standing at the curb. Her cheeks were as red as apples and her eyes were shining.
Sure thing. Get aboard
.
He made room for her beside him.
Where you want to go, Miss Trehern? You’re Miss Trehern,
Yes,
Miss Trehern was choosing her words slowly --I want to go to Police headquarters. I want to go to the office of the Chief of Police
she said.
The driver whistled and peered down at her strangely lighted face.
Anything wrong?
Oh no
said Miss Trehern softly.Everything’s quite all right
. A smile irradiated her thin features. She said impulsively to the startled man beside her: