Secret of the Old Clock: Chapter 2
Chapter 2:
Secret of the Old Clock, 1930:
In this amusing chapter, Nancy banters with her father, goes shopping at the local department store for a new frock, observes the odious Topham sisters shopping for new frocks, and takes luncheon with her father and Mr. Rolsted, the lawyer mentioned in the first chapter.
We are also introduced to Hannah Gruen: The Drews employed one servant, Hannah Gruen, an elderly maid who had been with them for many years. Much is made of Nancy's suberb housekeeping skills. She has been managing the household since her mother died 6 years previously. We also find out that she enjoys sports AND parties AND has lots of friends.
The scene in the department store is very funny. Nancy goes in looking for a new frock for one of the aforementioned parties that she is so fond of. Who does she run into but Ada and Isobel Topham! Well, the department is very busy and the Topham girls get more and more agitated as they wait. The Topham Girls procede to terrorize the salegirl, they even tread on a brand new Paris fashion! Nancy observes the whole thing in a very dishy tone. We find out that Nancy declares the Topham girls to be "stupid, as well as arrogant."
Finally, Nancy takes luncheon with jovial Mr. Drew and his pal and finds out that Josiah Crowley may have left a second will (!) which left the Tophams out (!) OMG (!)
So, Nancy Drew's interest in this case stems from her hatred of the Stupid and Arrogant Topham girls with a healthy dose of nosiness. Also, Nancy Drew loves to gossip. She gossips with her Dad, the salesgirl at the store... everybody.
Excellent quote:
In spite of the expensive clothes she [Ada Topham] wore, she was anything but attractive, for she was tall and slender to the point of being termed "skinny." Now that her face was distored with anger, she was positively ugly.
Isobel, who was the pride of the Topham family, was rather pretty in a vapid sort of way, but Nancy Drew thought that her face lacked character.
Secret of the Old Clock, 1959:
In hot pursuit of the stolen Turner Sisters loot, Nancy stops at the local police station to report the crime. Then she heads home to eat dinner with her father and Hannah Gruen ("housekeeper for the Drews, who had helped rear Nancy since the death of the girl's own mother years before") and have the conversation about Mr. Rolsted and the possibility of a second will left by Josiah Crowley.
It's made very clear that Hannah Gruen is not just a servant. Nancy gives her hug upon returning home. The book explicitly refers to 'the three who formed the Drew household.' Quite a difference from the 1930s Drew household, where Hannah is relegated to the kitchen.
New, Improved Mr. Drew is not as twinkly as Old Mr. Drew. And with the introduction of the Turner sisters, we get to hear Mr. Drew spout that "[i]t may not seem fair, but it is legal," regarding Mr. Crowley's willing of money to the Tophams. Very moral, indeed. Despite such admonishments, Nancy is determined to help the Turner sisters. Also, Hannah makes delicious apple pudding.
Excellent quote:
"What tricky thieves!" Hannah Gruen burst out. "Oh, I hope the police capture them!"
"They certainly took advantage of those Turner sisters," Mr. Drew commented.
Conclusion:
While motherly, yet hysterical, Hannah Gruen is an excellent addition to the Drew household, the loss of twinkly Mr. Drew cannot be overstated.
Untwinkle: "I know you like to help people who are in trouble." Mr Drew said.
Twinkle!: "The Tophams were never noted for their charitable dispositions," Carson Drew observed with a smile.
Secret of the Old Clock, 1930:
In this amusing chapter, Nancy banters with her father, goes shopping at the local department store for a new frock, observes the odious Topham sisters shopping for new frocks, and takes luncheon with her father and Mr. Rolsted, the lawyer mentioned in the first chapter.
We are also introduced to Hannah Gruen: The Drews employed one servant, Hannah Gruen, an elderly maid who had been with them for many years. Much is made of Nancy's suberb housekeeping skills. She has been managing the household since her mother died 6 years previously. We also find out that she enjoys sports AND parties AND has lots of friends.
The scene in the department store is very funny. Nancy goes in looking for a new frock for one of the aforementioned parties that she is so fond of. Who does she run into but Ada and Isobel Topham! Well, the department is very busy and the Topham girls get more and more agitated as they wait. The Topham Girls procede to terrorize the salegirl, they even tread on a brand new Paris fashion! Nancy observes the whole thing in a very dishy tone. We find out that Nancy declares the Topham girls to be "stupid, as well as arrogant."
Finally, Nancy takes luncheon with jovial Mr. Drew and his pal and finds out that Josiah Crowley may have left a second will (!) which left the Tophams out (!) OMG (!)
So, Nancy Drew's interest in this case stems from her hatred of the Stupid and Arrogant Topham girls with a healthy dose of nosiness. Also, Nancy Drew loves to gossip. She gossips with her Dad, the salesgirl at the store... everybody.
Excellent quote:
In spite of the expensive clothes she [Ada Topham] wore, she was anything but attractive, for she was tall and slender to the point of being termed "skinny." Now that her face was distored with anger, she was positively ugly.
Isobel, who was the pride of the Topham family, was rather pretty in a vapid sort of way, but Nancy Drew thought that her face lacked character.
Secret of the Old Clock, 1959:
In hot pursuit of the stolen Turner Sisters loot, Nancy stops at the local police station to report the crime. Then she heads home to eat dinner with her father and Hannah Gruen ("housekeeper for the Drews, who had helped rear Nancy since the death of the girl's own mother years before") and have the conversation about Mr. Rolsted and the possibility of a second will left by Josiah Crowley.
It's made very clear that Hannah Gruen is not just a servant. Nancy gives her hug upon returning home. The book explicitly refers to 'the three who formed the Drew household.' Quite a difference from the 1930s Drew household, where Hannah is relegated to the kitchen.
New, Improved Mr. Drew is not as twinkly as Old Mr. Drew. And with the introduction of the Turner sisters, we get to hear Mr. Drew spout that "[i]t may not seem fair, but it is legal," regarding Mr. Crowley's willing of money to the Tophams. Very moral, indeed. Despite such admonishments, Nancy is determined to help the Turner sisters. Also, Hannah makes delicious apple pudding.
Excellent quote:
"What tricky thieves!" Hannah Gruen burst out. "Oh, I hope the police capture them!"
"They certainly took advantage of those Turner sisters," Mr. Drew commented.
Conclusion:
While motherly, yet hysterical, Hannah Gruen is an excellent addition to the Drew household, the loss of twinkly Mr. Drew cannot be overstated.
Untwinkle: "I know you like to help people who are in trouble." Mr Drew said.
Twinkle!: "The Tophams were never noted for their charitable dispositions," Carson Drew observed with a smile.