The Lady's Maid's Bell, A Story by Edith Wharton

In Edith Wharton's "The Lady's Maid's Bell," the story follows Alice Hartley, a maid who takes a job at the isolated and eerie Brympton Place. Alice is hired to serve the ailing Mrs. Brympton, but soon she starts encountering strange occurrences, including the ghostly figure of the previous maid, Emma Saxon, who had died under mysterious circumstances. The household is filled with tension, particularly due to the intimidating presence of Mr. Brympton and the sinister atmosphere. Alice learns that Emma's spirit is still lingering in the house, trying to......

[@BenGreggSweden]

Hmm… spoiler (if you haven’t seen it), but my take is that Mrs. Brympton and Mr. Ranford were having an affair. The ghost of Emma Saxon knows this, and is protective of them (as she probably had been while she was still alive), and is continuing to watch over and protect Mrs. Brymton from the other side. That is why she leads Miss Hartley down to Mrs. Brympton’s room several times, with the last time being so as to warn Mrs. Brymton when Mr. Brymton arrives very unexpectedly (after having led everyone to believe that he was far far away in the West Indies). Mr. Brymton sneaks in during the middle of the night, hoping to catch his wife in the act. However, Miss Hartley’s knocking on the Mrs. Brymton’s bedroom door gives Mr. Randord time to hide in the next room, and then escape-most likely by jumping out the window-but not without making noise, which Mr. Brymton hears before rushing to try and catch his “old friend” there. Yet he is thwarted by the ghost of Emma Saxon’s sudden appearance on the threshold. We are meant to understand that Mr. Ranford made his escape via the window by the fact that he is then seen walking with a limp, with Mr. Brymton scowling at him throughout the funeral because he has guessed that as well. However, having failed to catch Ranford in the act, he has no recourse but to keep his place as a gentleman. Mrs. Brymton (who we have been made to understand was very sickly and weak) clearly dies from the shock of having nearly been caught out by her husband in the arms of Mr. Ranford (which surely would have happened if she had not been warned). But her dying is not a bad thing. We understand that it was inevitable, due to her long illness, yet at least she is allowed to die with her honor kept intact, while also knowing that her dear friend Emma is waiting for her on the other side.

[@jennyb9641]

@BenGreggSweden, thanks for this great explanation!

[@anooshehmirzaie3701]

Thanks now I can get what was happening there 😂🌹

[@lillykay1037]

My thoughts exactly.

[@vivienhowe5028]

I totally agree with your synopsis

[@LovelyDirtBike-gn4ti]

A good story doesn't leave people trying to sort through what happened or what events might have meant. Neither should it need an explanation. So glad someone wrote one, though, or else i wouldn't have understood the ghost's involvement at all

[@annetteholtzhausen809]

The ending is as if the author just grew tired of the story.

[@ironbutterfly6835]

I think the ending is perfect. Its written in old style of classes and heredity homes. It is her style of writing and she very door author. The narration is perfect. I enjoyed very much

[@valgardener7656]

No, it's all there. You have to connect the dots yourself.

[@ludovica8221]

@@ironbutterfly6835 dour?

[@shadowlouise]

It's an engaging mystery, but if you're the sort that wants answers, this one is NOT for you.

[@mariajanejuarez5626]

I can't understand hahahah where's the ending?

[@emcarver8983]

This is incomplete!!

[@neuralsurfer]

That is the whole story as written Edith Wharton

[@leahwalker7852]

The ending didn’t make sense …..

[@Ana84262]

Thanks, I need this instead of politics, thanks. Lovely history

[@marymortimer5037]

A story leaving a lot to one's own imagination! Also I prefer the notation of Chapter 1 , chapter 2 etc to just the numbers. But the narrator had a clear speaking voice, pleasant to listen to. Thank you

[@joeylee2891]

She won the Pulitzer for The Age of Innocence. Was very well loved in her time. Nicknamed Pussy Jones growing up (did I just type that??) Divorced. Included with great American literature. But no one mentioned this short story. Maybe not one of her most notable.

[@LilouViviKiani]

Wonderful story❤. Love Edith Wharton.

[@user-qj6wj5kz3x]

Can you Explain it then, please thanks in advance👍

[@LilouViviKiani]

@@user-qj6wj5kz3x with pleasure ❤️. I also subscribe to Tony Walker’s podcast because after he reads the story, he gives the listener a lot of historical and cultural context, as well as background information on the author that might have influenced the themes and characters in their story. 1 . Edith Wharton is known for being vague but the readers of her time -1902 would’ve read between the lines and identified the real horror of this story : A. Marital abuse- the husband was a predator. He possibly could’ve killed the former lady’s maid, preyed on pretty servants. Remember, that the current maid was warned to keep out of his way and the physical effects of her I’ll was protected her from abuse. B. The wife was having some type of affair with the neighbor (emotional/ physical) C. The ghost of the former lady’s maid wanted to rectify a wrong. She was the facilitator of an affair between her mistress and neighbor. Wanted to protect the mistress and tell her secret to the current one. The bell is probably a reminder of past trauma (abortion/ abuse). All the household knows and that’s why it was not rung. D. The wife’s weakened state could be due to ongoing abuse, marital rape, and perhaps an abortion that took place ( abortion also facility aged by former lady’s maid- remember, the trip to the chemist) E. Ghost lead present housemaid to burial site of baby (under the tree of the neighbor). I read that ghost appearing at a site is a tool that refers to something/ someone buried F. On the last night the wife and lover were to meet, the bell rung because the present lady’s maid is called to help her mistress. The ghost appears to protect lover/ mistress and give him a chance to escape by appearing to husband. G. Lover shows up to church with a cane- probably jumped out the window from the dressing room, on the night the lady died.

[@LilouViviKiani]

@@user-qj6wj5kz3x this is just one of many explanations. I’m sure there’s more digging to do. That’s the fun of it 😄.

[@phyllislovelace8151]

Thank you for this although for some reason youtube won't let me give you a thumbs up

[@Sassafras30]

Great story and contrary to what some thought, the ending was perfect.

[@shadowlouise]

Only if you like unsolved mysteries. I felt disappointed. I followed the ghost, only to be left with NO answers.

[@frederickacharles552]

How? Please explain.

[@sheilahay3370]

It was a lovely story but a crap ending

[@sharynmorgan944]

Yeah it did end rather abruptly.

[@janupczak1643]

Rather anti- climactic and confusing...😮

[@sharoncravenor2226]

Wow! Thanks alot!

[@vawncorrigan7330]

Yes ending is crap

[@frederickacharles552]

I don't understand what happened in the end.

[@robinyurrita7609]

Not that ending was crap. THERE WAS NO ENDING. Very unsatisfactory .. but excellent reader.

[@opheliahamlet3508]

I got suckered in again. Listen closely, it's an AI generated narration. Puts a good voice actor out of work. It took me a couple of listens before I realized that this youtuber uses AI. Absolutely ruined Somerset Maugham for me. I unsubscribed

[@janetmackinnon3411]

@@opheliahamlet3508 That would explain the often misplaced emphasis. Distracting, breaks the atmosphere..

[@Aussiedreamer-pz5uw]

Copy and pasted @BenGreggSweden 1 day ago Hmm… spoiler (if you haven’t seen it), but my take is that Mrs. Brympton and Mr. Ranford were having an affair. The ghost of Emma Saxon knows this, and is protective of them (as she probably had been while she was still alive), and is continuing to watch over and protect Mrs. Brymton from the other side. That is why she leads Miss Hartley down to Mrs. Brympton’s room several times, with the last time being so as to warn Mrs. Brymton when Mr. Brymton arrives very unexpectedly (after having led everyone to believe that he was far far away in the West Indies). Mr. Brymton sneaks in during the middle of the night, hoping to catch his wife in the act. However, Miss Hartley’s knocking on the Mrs. Brymton’s bedroom door gives Mr. Randord time to hide in the next room, and then escape-most likely by jumping out the window-but not without making noise, which Mr. Brymton hears before rushing to try and catch his “old friend” there. Yet he is thwarted by the ghost of Emma Saxon’s sudden appearance on the threshold. We are meant to understand that Mr. Ranford made his escape via the window by the fact that he is then seen walking with a limp, with Mr. Brymton scowling at him throughout the funeral because he has guessed that as well. However, having failed to catch Ranford in the act, he has no recourse but to keep his place as a gentleman. Mrs. Brymton (who we have been made to understand was very sickly and weak) clearly dies from the shock of having nearly been caught out by her husband in the arms of Mr. Ranford (which surely would have happened if she had not been warned). But her dying is not a bad thing. We understand that it was inevitable, due to her long illness, yet at least she is allowed to die with her honor kept intact, while also knowing that her dear friend Emma is waiting for her on the other side.

[@BlueButterfly-wk9dl]

Thank you so very much for this beautifully told story

[@FairyTaleRetreat]

Thank you so much for your channel. You have brought peace into a troubled life

[@JudeNance]

Dignity, lovely story ❤️

[@rebeccacarlson9166]

I beliieve that most great short stories do not have a "ending" that satifies modern day readers. They arent happily ever after, just as life is not happily ever after ... I believe the point is to give the reader something to ponder long after the story has finished. I took English lit in college but am terrible at understanding literary references (or maybe I'm just too lazy to figure them out?) Anyhow, there are some short stories I will never forget.

[@lightningbug276]

I don’t get it.

[@roden70]

Neither do I.

[@bonniephelps9481]

Weird

[@joeylee2891]

Í don't get half of what I read. 😅

[@joeylee2891]

I don't get half of what I read 😅😅

[@Aussiedreamer-pz5uw]

@BenGreggSweden 1 day ago Hmm… spoiler (if you haven’t seen it), but my take is that Mrs. Brympton and Mr. Ranford were having an affair. The ghost of Emma Saxon knows this, and is protective of them (as she probably had been while she was still alive), and is continuing to watch over and protect Mrs. Brymton from the other side. That is why she leads Miss Hartley down to Mrs. Brympton’s room several times, with the last time being so as to warn Mrs. Brymton when Mr. Brymton arrives very unexpectedly (after having led everyone to believe that he was far far away in the West Indies). Mr. Brymton sneaks in during the middle of the night, hoping to catch his wife in the act. However, Miss Hartley’s knocking on the Mrs. Brymton’s bedroom door gives Mr. Randord time to hide in the next room, and then escape-most likely by jumping out the window-but not without making noise, which Mr. Brymton hears before rushing to try and catch his “old friend” there. Yet he is thwarted by the ghost of Emma Saxon’s sudden appearance on the threshold. We are meant to understand that Mr. Ranford made his escape via the window by the fact that he is then seen walking with a limp, with Mr. Brymton scowling at him throughout the funeral because he has guessed that as well. However, having failed to catch Ranford in the act, he has no recourse but to keep his place as a gentleman. Mrs. Brymton (who we have been made to understand was very sickly and weak) clearly dies from the shock of having nearly been caught out by her husband in the arms of Mr. Ranford (which surely would have happened if she had not been warned). But her dying is not a bad thing. We understand that it was inevitable, due to her long illness, yet at least she is allowed to die with her honor kept intact, while also knowing that her dear friend Emma is waiting for her on the other side.

[@phyllislovelace8151]

Lovely! Thank you

[@judywalton2658]

Lovely

[@HestiaBHN1]

About half way through I began to feel that tge story had gone on long enough. She had layed fown much foreshadowing. Now I wanted a conclusion. But she went on, and on...and on.... Endless foreshadowing of...what? Nothing. No satisfying resolution.

[@tonyawedgeworth514]

Well crap.

[@annfoster465]

Is this the first part of this story, is there a second part? Beautifully read.

[@mauricesavel5110]

I listened twice, don't get it?

[@MsMak12356]

Great story, but what a disappointing ending. I mean, what happened to everyone?

[@jeanettediss6640]

Was waiting for the conclusion. What on earthhadbeen going on with the 3 persons involved and what had happened to the previous maid. Very disappointing

[@angeladennis2879]

Is there a part 2 to this?

[@barbaratownsend9528]

What a poor ending to a fine story!

[@haubenmeisewillow-tit331]

Ah.... what??? Are we supposed to imagin what happend ourselfes?

[@emcarver8983]

This is only the ending of chapter 4. The story is incomplete.

[@neuralsurfer]

That is the whole story as written by Edith Wharton

[@Aussiedreamer-pz5uw]

Copied this comment @BenGreggSweden 1 day ago Hmm… spoiler (if you haven’t seen it), but my take is that Mrs. Brympton and Mr. Ranford were having an affair. The ghost of Emma Saxon knows this, and is protective of them (as she probably had been while she was still alive), and is continuing to watch over and protect Mrs. Brymton from the other side. That is why she leads Miss Hartley down to Mrs. Brympton’s room several times, with the last time being so as to warn Mrs. Brymton when Mr. Brymton arrives very unexpectedly (after having led everyone to believe that he was far far away in the West Indies). Mr. Brymton sneaks in during the middle of the night, hoping to catch his wife in the act. However, Miss Hartley’s knocking on the Mrs. Brymton’s bedroom door gives Mr. Randord time to hide in the next room, and then escape-most likely by jumping out the window-but not without making noise, which Mr. Brymton hears before rushing to try and catch his “old friend” there. Yet he is thwarted by the ghost of Emma Saxon’s sudden appearance on the threshold. We are meant to understand that Mr. Ranford made his escape via the window by the fact that he is then seen walking with a limp, with Mr. Brymton scowling at him throughout the funeral because he has guessed that as well. However, having failed to catch Ranford in the act, he has no recourse but to keep his place as a gentleman. Mrs. Brymton (who we have been made to understand was very sickly and weak) clearly dies from the shock of having nearly been caught out by her husband in the arms of Mr. Ranford (which surely would have happened if she had not been warned). But her dying is not a bad thing. We understand that it was inevitable, due to her long illness, yet at least she is allowed to die with her honor kept intact, while also knowing that her dear friend Emma is waiting for her on the other side.

[@marialandman6695]

You should write a book......😅

[@Lorena-qn3rg]

Hmmm, what is everyones thoughts on what this was about. Was there an affair? Was the dead maid keeping an eye on her mistress? Not sure why though, the hubby had no interest in her. What was the story really about?

[@sugarfalls1]

I'm wondering the same thing. Maybe there's a synopsis of the story on wikipedia or something. There's another story you might want to listen to called The Bunner Sisters by her that's really good and full of symbolism. I couldn't find a synopsis of this short story. The Bunner Sisters was read by someone from LibraVox who read stories as volunteers. I've never done so, but the story was really good. It should still be on youtube - that's where I found it.

[@Lorena-qn3rg]

@sugarfalls1 Thanks for the tip, I'll go look for it now, I need something to fall to sleep to lol 😆

[@HestiaBHN1]

I suppose that Ranford WAS her lover. And that the husband had raped Anna the former maid, who had, whereupon, committed suicide. His lechery towards subsequent maids caused them to leave suddenly...as did the ghostly appearances. The wife dying, upon hearing, once again that the maids bell had rung, when she had not rung it, tipped her over the edge. Thats plausible, I guess, as we were told early on her paleness was likely due to a heart condition. But I still find the story inconclusive and dissatisfying.

[@Evyenne]

Here is what I think. The neighbor was, if not a lover, at least a confidant. Emma was the lady’s faithful maid and friend for years. The husband was only passing through to likely rape his ailing wife, treating her cruelly, drunk and raging, only to leave again the next day. When the lady finally could take no more, she rang the bell for Emma in one of these moments, and the husband killed Emma when she intervened. Emma’s ghost stayed to continue to watch over her lady. The bell was no longer rung because it brought back to mind Emma’s death, and the ringing of the bell had likely prompted that. All this being said, why was Emma’s room kept locked? And I agree, the ending wasn’t satisfying, leaving too much to guess at.

[@Lorena-qn3rg]

@HestiaBHN1 Yes between you and other comments the story is definitely between these lines.

[@SaltyMinorcan]

So I guess the husband killed the Old Maid

[@brendastorm1111]

What! That's it? Come on that can't be the end,

[@suzearl]

What happened?

[@karencook8293]

Poor ending, or is there a sequel?

[@streetsmartlaw]

Mrs. Brimpton was not the angel that she was portrayed to be.

[@pattyHK]

Does it end? Shouldn't Brimpton have been blessed with a mighty ailment?

[@onemenia]

Where is the ending??!!😕

[@redwawst3258]

❤

[@heidiflintoff1105]

Won't listen because of the comments...😢

[@beckygleasman408]

Hmmm. 🤔 At least I enjoyed the text, the Grammer. Not so much the story.

[@philomena3529]

Is it being read by AI

[@user-qz3dq6ki8j]

Yes, sure it is AI as the emphasis in the phrasing is not correct and not how it would be read by a real person telling a story.

[@ludovica8221]

@@user-qz3dq6ki8j The phrasing and pronunciation is absolutely perfect and expressive for British English. I would guess this is a professional actress, with a voice similar to Jan Francis. Nothing like AI

[@ludovica8221]

No

[@Whoisager]

What???

[@user-kb1uc8wp3w]

The ending was so abrupt its annoying, but what else is there to say? That the cranky gasbag Mr.Brympton would continue to periodically show up and drunkenly menace the staff? Not the kind of storyline people are going to stick around for.

[@MarilynMayer-cd5qk]

It appeatd to ju

[@MarilynMayer-cd5qk]

It just fizzled out.

[@Guest-mq9de]

Okay, that's it, won't be listening to this channel again.

[@carollynnberwindscheffler398]

_rim comments I won't watch

[@valgardener7656]

Here's the solution to those who are confused: spoilers Emma Saxon is still looking out for her mistress even in death. The first time the bell rings, it interrupts the master's plan to spend the night in his wife's room. The last night, Alice hears the glass door that leads to the gardens open and close. This is Mr. Ranford, coming to see Mrs. Brimton. Later Alice is awakened by the ringing of the bell, and rushes to her mistress, who is angry to see her, because her lover is in the dressing room. When Mr. Brimton throws open the dressing room door to find his friend, Emma Saxon is there, preventing discovery. At the funeral, Mr. Ranford is limping slightly. Why is this significant? Well, earlier in the story, Alice tells us that the dressing room attached to Mrs. Brimton's bedroom has a large window over a portico which looks towards the gardens. If there were a man hiding in the lady's dressing room, he could have escaped through the window and down the portico, possibly hurting his leg.

[@robinyurrita7609]

I unsuscribed and will avoid nueralsurfer from now on.

[@jacquelinedeacon8119]

What happened?

[@shadowlouise]

Nothing. It was all for nothing.