Anne Fremantle reads from Chapter 70 “About Mrs. Hogden, the Arithmetic Teacher” of Miss MacIntosh, My Darling by Marguerite Young. Freemantle (1910-2002) was a critic, writer, and scholar of religion. Her academic work was focused on Communist China and Catholicism. She was also a poet and historian, who had written numerous books including; George Eliot (1933), Mothers: A Catholic Treasury of Great Stories (1951) and The Medieval Philosophers (1955).

Mrs. Hogden is introduced to Vera Cartwheel’s tale. She is the subject of great controversy because she enters the Cartwheel household unannounced. She temporarily replaces Miss MacIntosh, as Vera’s nursemaid and arithmetic teacher. Shortly after her entry, those around her begin to question her identity. Some family members assume that she was invited and others liken her to a bag lady. Ultimately, many begin to suspect her as a thief of dreams.

 © copyright Charles Ruas 2023