A banker's clerk at least--nothing could be thought of under a clerk in the local banks; of course, his salary was not high, but then his 'position.' The retail grocers and bakers and such people were quite beneath one's notice--low, common persons.

The 'professional tradesmen' (whatever that may be) were decidedly better, and could be tolerated.

The solicitors, bank managers, one or two brewers (wholesale--nothing retail), large corn factors or coal merchants, who kept a carriage of some kind--these formed the select society next under, and, as it were, surrounding the clergy and gentry.

Georgie at twelve years old looked at least as high as one of these; a farmhouse was to be avoided above all things.
As she grew older her mind was full of the local assembly ball.

The ball had been held for forty years or more, and had all that time been in the hands of the exclusive upper circles of the market town.