Tipping the Velvet

Nan describes her childhood home in Whitstable, living over her parents’ oyster parlor. She recounts the seasonal business—recalling that she, her siblings, and parents were busiest during the summer months. Remembering the hard work of preparing oysters for her mother in the kitchen, she describes how she sang while she prepared the oysters. Nan and her sister, Alice, travel to Canterbury via train and go to the Palace Theater, where Tricky Reeves works as manager. Tricky is the father of Alice’s boyfriend, Tony. They sit through the night’s performers, including the celebrated comedian Gully Sutherland, before they watch Kitty Butler. Kitty performs as a “masher,” Victorian slang for an elegantly dressed ladies’ man, wowing audiences. Kitty presents a woman with a rose during the performance.

Nancy begins to visit the Palace frequently, and Tony helps Nancy get a better seat. Nancy’s mother doesn’t forbid or outwardly criticize her unchaperoned outings, differing from what Nancy calls usual behavior among upper-class women. Her brother teases her, pointing out she has a crush on Kitty, but Nancy manages to escape detection. She takes her family to Canterbury to see Kitty. Nancy returns on another night, sitting by herself, and Kitty presents her with the signature rose.