The Collected Stories of Jean Stafford Study Guide

Maggie Meriwether's Rich Experience is the story of young Maggie Meriwether, a college student and American, on a European vacation. Maggie has been invited to Chantilly to the home of Karl von Bubnoff, M. le Baron. Maggie is posed on the grass on the grounds of the Baronial estate, Magnamont. Maggie is in the attendance of ladies from England's upper crust, Mme Floquet and Mrs. Preston. The partygoers are all speaking French. Being fluent in French, Maggie Meriwether is dismayed to find herself tongue-tied upon her arrival in Paris a week ago and quite unable to comport herself in the august group's company. A young, English college student, Tippy Akenside, who had befriended her in Paris, issues her the invitation on this day. Tippy, who is known to the group and a friend of the Baron's, has assured that all in attendance would speak English. (read more)