| Duchess | |
|---|---|
 | |
|
Real Name |
Duchess |
|
First Appearance |
The Tale of the Pie and the Patty-Pan (1905) |
|
Original Publisher |
Frederick Warne & Co. |
|
Created by |
Beatrix Potter |
Origin[]
Duchess is a dog who was invited to tea by her friend, a pussy cat called Ribby, who says she plans to serve a very special pie. Duchess suspects it'll be mouse flavor, but can't bring herself to tell Ribby she hates the taste of mouse. Instead, she decides she'll secretly switch it with one of her own pies made from ham and veal.
While Ribby is visiting the shops, Duchess sneaks into her house and places her pie in the top compartment of the oven—unaware Ribby's is already baking in the bottom compartment.
At tea, Ribby serves the mouse pie to Duchess, who thinks it's the ham and veal pie. After four servings, she notices the patty-pan she put in it is missing and begins to howl in panic, believing she's swallowed it. Unable to calm her down, Ribby is forced to fetch Dr. Maggoty, a magpie doctor.
While waiting for her return, Duchess discovers her pie is still in the oven and realizes what has happened. She hides the pie outside the back door, intending to retrieve it on her way home. Ribby returns with Dr. Maggoty, who treats Duchess before leaving. After bidding Ribby farewell, Duchess sneaks round the back to collect her pie, only to find Dr. Maggoty has eaten it.
Later, Ribby finds the smashed pie dish and the patty-pan in her garden and declares next time she'll invite her cousin Tabitha Twitchit to tea instead.
Public Domain Appearances[]
All published appearances of Duchess from before January 1, 1931 are public domain in the US.
Some notable appearances are listed below:
Public Domain Literary Appearances[]
- The Tale of the Pie and the Patty-Pan (1905)
Notes[]
- Duchess was modeled on two Pomeranian dogs belonging to Potter's neighbor Mrs Rogerson.