Chester-Stokes is an ex-clerk whose promotions became so great that she succumbed to them, ascending clerkhood. She was the Institute's administrator prior to Clerk Wayle taking her place. It is unknown whose position she took as administrator, if any.
In current days, she is known as the Shushbaby. Aided by her self-described “Alexandrian memory”, she is the author of many transcriptions of the Eremite's work that have been lost to manhandling.
Appearance
Not much is known about Chester-Stokes' appearance, but she is considered to have been overweight and white-skinned.
Pre-Institute
Perhaps not every civilisation is as obsessed with failed potential as yours was.
— Wayle
Chester-Stokes lived with her parents for some time in England when she was younger. Her father was a soldier during a time of war, possibly World War I. She tells the story of how her father’s sergeant returned his wedding ring one night after making his way back to England through the trenches. This may have indicated that her father had been killed in battle.
Though she encourages the use of Latin and seems to have a strong knowledge of the language, her primary language is English, having been born in England.
Chester-Stokes possesses some knowledge of farming and pig-rearing. In His Latitude, The Stars, she recalls how her parents would handle plague among the herd by locating the happiest, healthiest pig and killing it.
She can also be credited as the author of a text on farming titled The Ablutionists, written under the name Lady Beatrice Chester-Stokes.
She refers to Oscar Parlay as “Uncle Oscar”. It is not known whether the two are actually related by blood.
Personality
Chester-Stokes possesses an intimate knowledge of the Eremite, though his writings do not explicitly state that the two knew each other personally, unlike his tales of meeting Whale-Bane.
She clashes with Wayle over which of them knows the Eremite better:
I think we can establish who knows the Eremite better, out of you and I.
— Chester-Stokes, Up Amongst A Pervert’s Limbs
Their frequent quarrels are documented in various Trottering Notes.
Chester-Stokes is an aficionado of Latin. Wayle remarks that she would insist upon its proper use:
Regardless of a clerk's mother tongue.
— The Worst Cook, Transcript M12
As leader of the Institute, she appears to take on the role of a mother figure. She encourages the Clerks to remember details about their personal lives before the Institute. Upon hearing of Wayle’s promotion, she tells him:
I shall have to come and find you, and see to your pain.
— Chester-Stokes, Up Amongst A Pervert’s Limbs
She can calm the Clerks with a prolonged “SHHHHHHHHHHH”. Through the Trottering Notes, it is eventually revealed that she has become the Shushbaby. In the endgame, it is suggested that she may have been Rosetto.
Shushbaby
The following passage appears in The Worst Cook:
They will not find Clerk Chester-Stokes. Following her promotion up and out of clerkhood, I will be taking her place. Though this may come as a shock and relief to many of you, I would ask you not to speak too ill of her, or groan too loudly; she will still be amongst you, in a supervisory role.
However, those of you who tired of her constant boasts about her breeding, her overbearing attendance to every Excavation, her insistence on the use of proper Latin, regardless of a clerk's mother tongue, the smug accomplishments of her parents, their riches, their castle high on some muggy moor, you may be secure in the knowledge that your Work may begin afresh, free of interference.
For those of you who miss her most comforting words and coos, the ones on the edge of hearing, hear this.
SHHHHHHH
— The Worst Cook
In the game, her purpose is to relieve the player's pain when it becomes too high. She does so by smacking the player three times on the back while shushing them.
Trivia
- The name “Chester” means “a fortress” or “camp”.
- The surname “Stokes” can mean “a place”.Stoke Surname Meaning, SurnameDB.