#34

[jollygoodform]

Visit The King's College of Our Lady of Eton beside Windsor!Commonly known as Eton College, in England. Founded in 1440 by Henry VI, it rests north of Windsor Castle in Berkshire, and is the favorite school of the British Royalty to send their young ones. It's got twenty-five houses divided into two groups; the Collegers, and the Oppidans. The

Comments

[repairedbywebs]

Sounds charming.

[jollygoodform]

It's pretty steeped in historic activity, if you like that sort of thing.

Sorry, Saya, it's a boy's school. Maybe someday they'll open a sister's school

[repairedbywebs]

It's a boy school in my world, too. But not to worry, Jolly. I'm quite a bit too old for Eton, in any case.

[jollygoodform]

That's all right. I think you're too good for it, anyway. It's toted as a very respectable place, but most of the people there are worse'n savages.

[repairedbywebs]

Why is it that those who can pay are treated badly, but those who can't aren't?

Please explain.

[jollygoodform]

Because the ones who don't pay are there on scholarships, because the school deemed them smart enough or important enough to let them in for free.

Whereas the people who pay to be there aren't special enough to warrant special treatment.

[repairedbywebs]

Odd.

Was your family well off?

[jollygoodform]

They were. Father owned a shipping company. We've got an estate, but we're what's called "new money", which doesn't make much sense to be but I guess old money's better, for some reason.

[repairedbywebs]

Would you like me to explain it to you?

[jollygoodform]

All right-!

Been wondering it for some time, but it's always been one of those topics people seem to skirt around in polite conversation. And sod on that.

[repairedbywebs]

Old money means that your family has been titled and landowning for a long time; people who are old money feel that they have a right to that title, and a right to be that way. They know the society and power and how to use it.

New money are people who have had money for a generation or less. Old money typically do not like them because they present ignorance of the society and a threat - a threat that they will take the power that has been consolidated in few families for a long time.

Does that make sense?

[jollygoodform]

[pause, thinking this over, before nodding]

That sounds like our family, right. Would explain a lot, actually.

Thanks, Saya.

[repairedbywebs]

Of course.

Jolly. I need to tell you something important.

[jollygoodform]

What's that?

[repairedbywebs]

I'm sure you're going to hear a lot of people saying terrible things about me. I don't understand why you would be offended, but in case you are, remember that what they say does not hurt me, or offend me, in any way.

All right?

[jollygoodform]

... [frowns]

All...all right...Are you sure? You don't want anyone standing up for your honor?