Summary

The story “A Way of Talking” by Patricia Grace begins with the narrator’s sister, Rose, returning home from university to attend the wedding of her sister, Hera. Rose is warmly welcomed by the family and makes everyone laugh with her clever, funny way of talking as she impersonates various teachers.  

The next day, the two sisters go to the dressmaker, Jane Frazer, to take Rose’s measurements for a frock. Jane and Rose get along very well, and Hera thinks Jane might even be slightly jealous of Rose and the life she leads at university. Then Jane refers to the Maori men her husband employs for scrub cutting. Rose reacts by saying they have names, and if they know Jane’s name, she should know theirs as well. Afterward, Rose leaves abruptly, and Hera follows, unhappy and embarrassed, havin...