Rachel Ray

Early in November Mr. Tappitt officially announced his intention of abdicating, and the necessary forms and deeds and parchment obligations were drawn out, signed and sealed, for the giving up of the brewery to Luke Rowan. Mr. Honyman's clerk revelled in thinly-covered folio sheets to the great comfort and profit of his master; while Mr. Sharpit went about Baslehurst declaring that Tappitt was an egregious ass, and hinting that Rowan was little better than a clever swindler.

Brewery deeds close the Rowan/Tappitt commercial war that blocked Rachel — plot resolves as trade transfer — so plot scores 84.

Mrs. Prime by name. Black, and stiff, and stern, in widow's weeds, she had remained since, for nine years following, and those nine years will bring us to the beginning of our story. As regards Mrs. Ray herself, I think it was well that poor Mr. Prime had died. It assured to her the support which she needed.

Black stern sister-prop against soft Mrs Ray — Low-Church cast pressure on Rachel — so cast scores 86.

Another fortnight went by, and still nothing further was heard at Bragg's End from Luke Rowan. Much was heard of him in Baslehurst. It was soon known by everybody that he had bought the cottages; and there was a widely-spread and well-credited rumour that he was going to commence the necessary buildings for a new brewhouse at once.

Silence at cottage vs town rumour — wait dilated then commercial noise returns — so pace scores 83.

There are women who cannot grow alone as standard trees;--for whom the support and warmth of some wall, some paling, some post, is absolutely necessary;--who, in their growth, will bend and incline themselves towards some such prop for their life, creeping with their tendrils along the ground till they reach it

Botanical allegory for dependent women — warm ironic cadence launching Bragg's End — so prose scores 87.

Why there should have been any brewery at all at Baslehurst, seeing that everybody in that part of the world drinks cider, or how, under such circumstances, Messrs. Bungall and Tappitt had managed to live upon the proceeds of their trade, I cannot pretend to say. Baslehurst is in the heart of the Devonshire cider country.

Brewery in cider country — commerce as local paradox — so world scores 85.

There are women who cannot grow alone as standard trees;--for whom the support and warmth of some wall, some paling, some post, is absolutely necessary;--who, in their growth, will bend and incline themselves towards some such prop for their life

Allegory before family names — social need stated as plant law — so hook scores 89.

On the Friday morning there was a solemn conference at the brewery between Mrs. Tappitt and Mrs. Rowan. Mrs. Rowan found herself to be in some difficulty as to the line of action which she ought to take, and the alliances which she ought to form. She was passionately attached to her son, and for Mrs. Tappitt she had no strong liking. But then she was very averse to this proposed marriage with Rachel Ray

Mothers negotiate marriage as brewery alliance — domestic commerce as plot engine — so innov scores 80.

Mr. Honyman's clerk revelled in thinly-covered folio sheets to the great comfort and profit of his master; while Mr. Sharpit went about Baslehurst declaring that Tappitt was an egregious ass, and hinting that Rowan was little better than a clever swindler.

Parchment comedy and village slander seal Luke's takeover — ending as trade satire — so ending scores 85.