An Unsuitable Job for a Woman

Cordelia continues her investigation, now tracking down the florist who provided the wreath at Mark’s funeral so she can learn the identity of the woman she believes is Mark’s old nanny. At the florist’s, Cordelia learns that “another lady came to enquire from Sir Ronald Callender” (138) and gets a name and address for Mrs. Goddard.

Cordelia and Mrs. Goddard have a conversation in the graveyard where Mrs. Goddard has been tending her husband’s grave. Mrs. Goddard tells Cordelia that she had been nanny to Mark’s mother, Evelyn Bottley. She recounts the family history, explaining that Evelyn’s mother died when Evelyn was born, and that Evelyn’s father never loved or respected her. Cordelia is sympathetic, seeing the parallels to her own parents. Mrs. Goddard explains that Evelyn met and married “Ronny Callender the Gardner’s son” (144). Cordelia is surprised to learn that Sir Ronald grew up poor and realizes that Mark taking a job as a gardener must have been a special slight for Sir Ronald, reminding him of the poverty he worked so hard to escape.

Mrs. Goddard was sent away during Evelyn’s pregnancy, and she barely saw Evelyn after Mark was born because Sir Ronald “couldn’t bear anyone to be near her” (146), which Mrs.