In society she was
commonly known as Ydgrun, so perfectly did she correspond with the
conception of this strange goddess formed by the Erewhonians. She was
one of those who had visited my father when he was in prison twenty years
earlier. When he told me that she was now called Ydgrun, he said, "I am
sure that the Erinyes were only Mrs. Humdrums, and that they were
delightful people when you came to know them. I do not believe they did
the awful things we say they did. I think, but am not quite sure, that
they let Orestes off; but even though they had not pardoned him, I doubt
whether they would have done anything more dreadful to him than issue a
_mot d'ordre_ that he was not to be asked to any more afternoon teas.
This, however, would be down-right torture to some people. At any rate,"
he continued, "be it the Erinyes, or Mrs. Grundy, or Ydgrun, in all times
and places it is woman who decides whether society is to condone an
offence or no."
Among the most attractive ladies present was one for whose Erewhonian
name I can find no English equivalent, and whom I must therefore call
Miss La Frime. She was Lady President of the principal establishment for
the higher education of young ladies, and so celebrated was she, that
pupils flocked to her from all parts of the surrounding country.
Pages:
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103