CHAPTERI—OURSOCIETY
　　INthefirstplace，CranfordisinpossessionoftheAmazons；alltheholdersofhousesaboveacertainrentarewomen。Ifamarriedcouplecometosettleinthetown，somehowthegentlemandisappears；heiseitherfairlyfrightenedtodeathbybeingtheonlymanintheCranfordeveningparties，orheisaccountedforbybeingwithhisregiment，hisship，orcloselyengagedinbusinessalltheweekinthegreatneighbouringcommercialtownofDrumble，distantonlytwentymilesonarailroad。Inshort，whateverdoesbecomeofthegentlemen，theyarenotatCranford。Whatcouldtheydoiftheywerethere？Thesurgeonhashisroundofthirtymiles，andsleepsatCranford；buteverymancannotbeasurgeon。Forkeepingthetrimgardensfullofchoiceflowerswithoutaweedtospeckthem；forfrighteningawaylittleboyswholookwistfullyatthesaidflowersthroughtherailings；forrushingoutatthegeesethatoccasionallyventureintothegardensifthegatesareleftopen；fordecidingallquestionsofliteratureandpoliticswithouttroublingthemselveswithunnecessaryreasonsorarguments；forobtainingclearandcorrectknowledgeofeverybody’saffairsintheparish；forkeepingtheirneatmaid—servantsinadmirableorder；
　　forkindness（somewhatdictatorial）tothepoor，andrealtendergoodofficestoeachotherwhenevertheyareindistress，theladiesofCranfordarequitesufficient。"Aman，"asoneofthemobservedtomeonce，"isSOinthewayinthehouse！"AlthoughtheladiesofCranfordknowalleachother’sproceedings，theyareexceedinglyindifferenttoeachother’sopinions。Indeed，aseachhasherownindividuality，nottosayeccentricity，prettystronglydeveloped，nothingissoeasyasverbalretaliation；but，somehow，good—willreignsamongthemtoaconsiderabledegree。
　　TheCranfordladieshaveonlyanoccasionallittlequarrel，spiritedoutinafewpepperywordsandangryjerksofthehead；
　　justenoughtopreventtheeventenoroftheirlivesfrombecomingtooflat。Theirdressisveryindependentoffashion；astheyobserve，"WhatdoesitsignifyhowwedresshereatCranford，whereeverybodyknowsus？"Andiftheygofromhome，theirreasonisequallycogent，"Whatdoesitsignifyhowwedresshere，wherenobodyknowsus？"Thematerialsoftheirclothesare，ingeneral，goodandplain，andmostofthemarenearlyasscrupulousasMissTyler，ofcleanlymemory；butIwillanswerforit，thelastgigot，thelasttightandscantypetticoatinwearinEngland，wasseeninCranford—andseenwithoutasmile。
　　Icantestifytoamagnificentfamilyredsilkumbrella，underwhichagentlelittlespinster，leftaloneofmanybrothersandsisters，usedtopattertochurchonrainydays。HaveyouanyredsilkumbrellasinLondon？WehadatraditionofthefirstthathadeverbeenseeninCranford；andthelittleboysmobbedit，andcalledit"astickinpetticoats。"ItmighthavebeentheveryredsilkoneIhavedescribed，heldbyastrongfatheroveratroopoflittleones；thepoorlittlelady—thesurvivorofall—couldscarcelycarryit。
　　Thentherewererulesandregulationsforvisitingandcalls；andtheywereannouncedtoanyyoungpeoplewhomightbestayinginthetown，withallthesolemnitywithwhichtheoldManxlawswerereadonceayearontheTinwaldMount。
　　"Ourfriendshavesenttoinquirehowyouareafteryourjourneyto—night，mydear"（fifteenmilesinagentleman’scarriage）；"theywillgiveyousomerestto—morrow，butthenextday，Ihavenodoubt，theywillcall；sobeatlibertyaftertwelve—fromtwelvetothreeareourcallinghours。"
　　Then，aftertheyhadcalled—
　　"Itisthethirdday；Idaresayyourmammahastoldyou，mydear，nevertoletmorethanthreedayselapsebetweenreceivingacallandreturningit；andalso，thatyouarenevertostaylongerthanaquarterofanhour。"
　　"ButamItolookatmywatch？HowamItofindoutwhenaquarterofanhourhaspassed？"
　　"Youmustkeepthinkingaboutthetime，mydear，andnotallowyourselftoforgetitinconversation。"
　　Aseverybodyhadthisruleintheirminds，whethertheyreceivedorpaidacall，ofcoursenoabsorbingsubjectwaseverspokenabout。
　　Wekeptourselvestoshortsentencesofsmalltalk，andwerepunctualtoourtime。
　　IimaginethatafewofthegentlefolksofCranfordwerepoor，andhadsomedifficultyinmakingbothendsmeet；buttheywereliketheSpartans，andconcealedtheirsmartunderasmilingface。Wenoneofusspokeofmoney，becausethatsubjectsavouredofcommerceandtrade，andthoughsomemightbepoor，wewereallaristocratic。TheCranfordianshadthatkindlyESPRITDECORPS
　　whichmadethemoverlookalldeficienciesinsuccesswhensomeamongthemtriedtoconcealtheirpoverty。WhenMrsForrester，forinstance，gaveapartyinherbaby—houseofadwelling，andthelittlemaidendisturbedtheladiesonthesofabyarequestthatshemightgetthetea—trayoutfromunderneath，everyonetookthisnovelproceedingasthemostnaturalthingintheworld，andtalkedonabouthouseholdformsandceremoniesasifweallbelievedthatourhostesshadaregularservants’hall，secondtable，withhousekeeperandsteward，insteadoftheonelittlecharity—schoolmaiden，whoseshortruddyarmscouldneverhavebeenstrongenoughtocarrythetrayupstairs，ifshehadnotbeenassistedinprivatebyhermistress，whonowsatinstate，pretendingnottoknowwhatcakesweresentup，thoughsheknew，andweknew，andsheknewthatweknew，andweknewthatsheknewthatweknew，shehadbeenbusyallthemorningmakingtea—breadandsponge—cakes。
　　Therewereoneortwoconsequencesarisingfromthisgeneralbutunacknowledgedpoverty，andthisverymuchacknowledgedgentility，whichwerenotamiss，andwhichmightbeintroducedintomanycirclesofsocietytotheirgreatimprovement。Forinstance，theinhabitantsofCranfordkeptearlyhours，andclatteredhomeintheirpattens，undertheguidanceofalantern—bearer，aboutnineo’clockatnight；andthewholetownwasabedandasleepbyhalf—
　　pastten。Moreover，itwasconsidered"vulgar"（atremendouswordinCranford）togiveanythingexpensive，inthewayofeatableordrinkable，attheeveningentertainments。Waferbread—and—butterandsponge—biscuitswereallthattheHonourableMrsJamiesongave；
　　andshewassister—in—lawtothelateEarlofGlenmire，althoughshedidpractisesuch"eleganteconomy。"
　　"Eleganteconomy！"HownaturallyonefallsbackintothephraseologyofCranford！There，economywasalways"elegant，"andmoney—spendingalways"vulgarandostentatious"；asortofsour—
　　grapeismwhichmadeusverypeacefulandsatisfied。InevershallforgetthedismayfeltwhenacertainCaptainBrowncametoliveatCranford，andopenlyspokeabouthisbeingpoor—notinawhispertoanintimatefriend，thedoorsandwindowsbeingpreviouslyclosed，butinthepublicstreet！inaloudmilitaryvoice！
　　alleginghispovertyasareasonfornottakingaparticularhouse。
　　TheladiesofCranfordwerealreadyrathermoaningovertheinvasionoftheirterritoriesbyamanandagentleman。Hewasahalf—paycaptain，andhadobtainedsomesituationonaneighbouringrailroad，whichhadbeenvehementlypetitionedagainstbythelittletown；andif，inadditiontohismasculinegender，andhisconnectionwiththeobnoxiousrailroad，hewassobrazenastotalkofbeingpoor—why，then，indeed，hemustbesenttoCoventry。
　　Deathwasastrueandascommonaspoverty；yetpeopleneverspokeaboutthat，loudoutinthestreets。Itwasawordnottobementionedtoearspolite。Wehadtacitlyagreedtoignorethatanywithwhomweassociatedontermsofvisitingequalitycouldeverbepreventedbypovertyfromdoinganythingthattheywished。Ifwewalkedtoorfromaparty，itwasbecausethenightwasSOfine，ortheairSOrefreshing，notbecausesedan—chairswereexpensive。Ifweworeprints，insteadofsummersilks，itwasbecausewepreferredawashingmaterial；andsoon，tillweblindedourselvestothevulgarfactthatwewere，allofus，peopleofverymoderatemeans。Ofcourse，then，wedidnotknowwhattomakeofamanwhocouldspeakofpovertyasifitwasnotadisgrace。Yet，somehow，CaptainBrownmadehimselfrespectedinCranford，andwascalledupon，inspiteofallresolutionstothecontrary。IwassurprisedtohearhisopinionsquotedasauthorityatavisitwhichIpaidtoCranfordaboutayearafterhehadsettledinthetown。MyownfriendshadbeenamongthebitterestopponentsofanyproposaltovisittheCaptainandhisdaughters，onlytwelvemonthsbefore；andnowhewasevenadmittedinthetabooedhoursbeforetwelve。True，itwastodiscoverthecauseofasmokingchimney，beforethefirewaslighted；butstillCaptainBrownwalkedupstairs，nothingdaunted，spokeinavoicetoolargefortheroom，andjokedquiteinthewayofatamemanaboutthehouse。Hehadbeenblindtoallthesmallslights，andomissionsoftrivialceremonies，withwhichhehadbeenreceived。Hehadbeenfriendly，thoughtheCranfordladieshadbeencool；hehadansweredsmallsarcasticcomplimentsingoodfaith；andwithhismanlyfranknesshadoverpoweredalltheshrinkingwhichmethimasamanwhowasnotashamedtobepoor。
　　And，atlast，hisexcellentmasculinecommonsense，andhisfacilityindevisingexpedientstoovercomedomesticdilemmas，hadgainedhimanextraordinaryplaceasauthorityamongtheCranfordladies。Hehimselfwentoninhiscourse，asunawareofhispopularityashehadbeenofthereverse；andIamsurehewasstartledonedaywhenhefoundhisadvicesohighlyesteemedastomakesomecounselwhichhehadgiveninjesttobetakeninsober，seriousearnest。
　　Itwasonthissubject：AnoldladyhadanAlderneycow，whichshelookeduponasadaughter。Youcouldnotpaytheshortquarterofanhourcallwithoutbeingtoldofthewonderfulmilkorwonderfulintelligenceofthisanimal。ThewholetownknewandkindlyregardedMissBetsyBarker’sAlderney；thereforegreatwasthesympathyandregretwhen，inanunguardedmoment，thepoorcowtumbledintoalime—pit。Shemoanedsoloudlythatshewassoonheardandrescued；butmeanwhilethepoorbeasthadlostmostofherhair，andcameoutlookingnaked，cold，andmiserable，inabareskin。Everybodypitiedtheanimal，thoughafewcouldnotrestraintheirsmilesatherdrollappearance。MissBetsyBarkerabsolutelycriedwithsorrowanddismay；anditwassaidshethoughtoftryingabathofoil。Thisremedy，perhaps，wasrecommendedbysomeoneofthenumberwhoseadvicesheasked；buttheproposal，ifeveritwasmade，wasknockedontheheadbyCaptainBrown’sdecided"Getheraflannelwaistcoatandflanneldrawers，ma’am，ifyouwishtokeepheralive。Butmyadviceis，killthepoorcreatureatonce。"
　　MissBetsyBarkerdriedhereyes，andthankedtheCaptainheartily；
　　shesettowork，andby—and—byallthetownturnedouttoseetheAlderneymeeklygoingtoherpasture，cladindarkgreyflannel。I
　　havewatchedhermyselfmanyatime。DoyoueverseecowsdressedingreyflannelinLondon？
　　CaptainBrownhadtakenasmallhouseontheoutskirtsofthetown，wherehelivedwithhistwodaughters。HemusthavebeenupwardsofsixtyatthetimeofthefirstvisitIpaidtoCranfordafterI
　　hadleftitasaresidence。Buthehadawiry，well—trained，elasticfigure，astiffmilitarythrow—backofhishead，andaspringingstep，whichmadehimappearmuchyoungerthanhewas。
　　Hiseldestdaughterlookedalmostasoldashimself，andbetrayedthefactthathisrealwasmorethanhisapparentage。MissBrownmusthavebeenforty；shehadasickly，pained，carewornexpressiononherface，andlookedasifthegaietyofyouthhadlongfadedoutofsight。Evenwhenyoungshemusthavebeenplainandhard—
　　featured。MissJessieBrownwastenyearsyoungerthanhersister，andtwentyshadesprettier。Herfacewasroundanddimpled。MissJenkynsoncesaid，inapassionagainstCaptainBrown（thecauseofwhichIwilltellyoupresently），"thatshethoughtitwastimeforMissJessietoleaveoffherdimples，andnotalwaystobetryingtolooklikeachild。"Itwastruetherewassomethingchildlikeinherface；andtherewillbe，Ithink，tillshedies，thoughsheshouldlivetoahundred。Hereyeswerelargebluewonderingeyes，lookingstraightatyou；hernosewasunformedandsnub，andherlipswereredanddewy；sheworeherhair，too，inlittlerowsofcurls，whichheightenedthisappearance。Idonotknowwhethershewasprettyornot；butIlikedherface，andsodideverybody，andIdonotthinkshecouldhelpherdimples。Shehadsomethingofherfather’sjauntinessofgaitandmanner；andanyfemaleobservermightdetectaslightdifferenceintheattireofthetwosisters—
　　thatofMissJessiebeingabouttwopoundsperannummoreexpensivethanMissBrown’s。TwopoundswasalargesuminCaptainBrown’sannualdisbursements。
　　SuchwastheimpressionmadeuponmebytheBrownfamilywhenI
　　firstsawthemalltogetherinCranfordChurch。TheCaptainIhadmetbefore—ontheoccasionofthesmokychimney，whichhehadcuredbysomesimplealterationintheflue。Inchurch，heheldhisdoubleeye—glasstohiseyesduringtheMorningHymn，andthenlifteduphisheaderectandsangoutloudandjoyfully。Hemadetheresponseslouderthantheclerk—anoldmanwithapipingfeeblevoice，who，Ithink，feltaggrievedattheCaptain’ssonorousbass，andquiveredhigherandhigherinconsequence。
　　Oncomingoutofchurch，thebriskCaptainpaidthemostgallantattentiontohistwodaughters。
　　Henoddedandsmiledtohisacquaintances；butheshookhandswithnoneuntilhehadhelpedMissBrowntounfurlherumbrella，hadrelievedherofherprayer—book，andhadwaitedpatientlytillshe，withtremblingnervoushands，hadtakenuphergowntowalkthroughthewetroads。
　　IwonderwhattheCranfordladiesdidwithCaptainBrownattheirparties。Wehadoftenrejoiced，informerdays，thattherewasnogentlemantobeattendedto，andtofindconversationfor，atthecard—parties。Wehadcongratulatedourselvesuponthesnugnessoftheevenings；and，inourloveforgentility，anddistasteofmankind，wehadalmostpersuadedourselvesthattobeamanwastobe"vulgar"；sothatwhenIfoundmyfriendandhostess，MissJenkyns，wasgoingtohaveapartyinmyhonour，andthatCaptainandtheMissBrownswereinvited，Iwonderedmuchwhatwouldbethecourseoftheevening。Card—tables，withgreenbaizetops，weresetoutbydaylight，justasusual；itwasthethirdweekinNovember，sotheeveningsclosedinaboutfour。Candles，andcleanpacksofcards，werearrangedoneachtable。Thefirewasmadeup；
　　theneatmaid—servanthadreceivedherlastdirections；andtherewestood，dressedinourbest，eachwithacandle—lighterinourhands，readytodartatthecandlesassoonasthefirstknockcame。PartiesinCranfordweresolemnfestivities，makingtheladiesfeelgravelyelatedastheysattogetherintheirbestdresses。Assoonasthreehadarrived，wesatdownto"Preference，"Ibeingtheunluckyfourth。Thenextfourcomerswereputdownimmediatelytoanothertable；andpresentlythetea—
　　trays，whichIhadseensetoutinthestore—roomasIpassedinthemorning，wereplacedeachonthemiddleofacard—table。Thechinawasdelicateegg—shell；theold—fashionedsilverglitteredwithpolishing；buttheeatableswereoftheslightestdescription。
　　Whilethetrayswereyetonthetables，CaptainandtheMissBrownscamein；andIcouldseethat，somehoworother，theCaptainwasafavouritewithalltheladiespresent。Ruffledbrowsweresmoothed，sharpvoicesloweredathisapproach。MissBrownlookedill，anddepressedalmosttogloom。MissJessiesmiledasusual，andseemednearlyaspopularasherfather。Heimmediatelyandquietlyassumedtheman’splaceintheroom；attendedtoeveryone’swants，lessenedtheprettymaid—servant’slabourbywaitingonemptycupsandbread—and—butterlessladies；andyetdiditallinsoeasyanddignifiedamanner，andsomuchasifitwereamatterofcourseforthestrongtoattendtotheweak，thathewasatruemanthroughout。Heplayedforthreepennypointswithasgraveaninterestasiftheyhadbeenpounds；andyet，inallhisattentiontostrangers，hehadaneyeonhissufferingdaughter—
　　forsufferingIwassureshewas，thoughtomanyeyesshemightonlyappeartobeirritable。MissJessiecouldnotplaycards：butshetalkedtothesitters—out，who，beforehercoming，hadbeenratherinclinedtobecross。Shesang，too，toanoldcrackedpiano，whichIthinkhadbeenaspinetinitsyouth。MissJessiesang，"JockofHazeldean"alittleoutoftune；butwewerenoneofusmusical，thoughMissJenkynsbeattime，outoftime，bywayofappearingtobeso。
　　ItwasverygoodofMissJenkynstodothis；forIhadseenthat，alittlebefore，shehadbeenagooddealannoyedbyMissJessieBrown’sunguardedadmission（APROPOSofShetlandwool）thatshehadanuncle，hermother’sbrother，whowasashop—keeperinEdinburgh。MissJenkynstriedtodrownthisconfessionbyaterriblecough—fortheHonourableMrsJamiesonwassittingatacard—tablenearestMissJessie，andwhatwouldshesayorthinkifshefoundoutshewasinthesameroomwithashop—keeper’sniece！
　　ButMissJessieBrown（whohadnotact，asweallagreedthenextmorning）WOULDrepeattheinformation，andassureMissPoleshecouldeasilygethertheidenticalShetlandwoolrequired，"throughmyuncle，whohasthebestassortmentofShetlandgoodsofanyoneinEdinbro’。"Itwastotakethetasteofthisoutofourmouths，andthesoundofthisoutofourears，thatMissJenkynsproposedmusic；soIsayagain，itwasverygoodofhertobeattimetothesong。
　　Whenthetraysre—appearedwithbiscuitsandwine，punctuallyataquartertonine，therewasconversation，comparingofcards，andtalkingovertricks；butby—and—byCaptainBrownsportedabitofliterature。
　　"Haveyouseenanynumbersof’ThePickwickPapers’？"saidhe。
　　（Theywe’rethenpublishinginparts。）"Capitalthing！"
　　NowMissJenkynswasdaughterofadeceasedrectorofCranford；
　　and，onthestrengthofanumberofmanuscriptsermons，andaprettygoodlibraryofdivinity，consideredherselfliterary，andlookeduponanyconversationaboutbooksasachallengetoher。Sosheansweredandsaid，"Yes，shehadseenthem；indeed，shemightsayshehadreadthem。"
　　"Andwhatdoyouthinkofthem？"exclaimedCaptainBrown。"Aren’ttheyfamouslygood？"
　　SourgedMissJenkynscouldnotbutspeak。
　　"Imustsay，Idon’tthinktheyarebyanymeansequaltoDrJohnson。Still，perhaps，theauthorisyoung。Lethimpersevere，andwhoknowswhathemaybecomeifhewilltakethegreatDoctorforhismodel？"ThiswasevidentlytoomuchforCaptainBrowntotakeplacidly；andIsawthewordsonthetipofhistonguebeforeMissJenkynshadfinishedhersentence。
　　"Itisquiteadifferentsortofthing，mydearmadam，"hebegan。
　　"Iamquiteawareofthat，"returnedshe。"AndImakeallowances，CaptainBrown。"
　　"Justallowmetoreadyouasceneoutofthismonth’snumber，"
　　pleadedhe。"Ihaditonlythismorning，andIdon’tthinkthecompanycanhavereadityet。"
　　"Asyouplease，"saidshe，settlingherselfwithanairofresignation。Hereadtheaccountofthe"swarry"whichSamWellergaveatBath。Someofuslaughedheartily。Ididnotdare，becauseIwasstayinginthehouse。MissJenkynssatinpatientgravity。Whenitwasended，sheturnedtome，andsaidwithmilddignity—
　　"Fetchme’Rasselas，’mydear，outofthebook—room。"
　　WhenIhadbroughtittoher，sheturnedtoCaptainBrown—
　　"Nowallowmetoreadyouascene，andthenthepresentcompanycanjudgebetweenyourfavourite，MrBoz，andDrJohnson。"
　　ShereadoneoftheconversationsbetweenRasselasandImlac，inahigh—pitched，majesticvoice：andwhenshehadended，shesaid，"I
　　imagineIamnowjustifiedinmypreferenceofDrJohnsonasawriteroffiction。"TheCaptainscrewedhislipsup，anddrummedonthetable，buthedidnotspeak。Shethoughtshewouldgivehimafinishingblowortwo。
　　"Iconsideritvulgar，andbelowthedignityofliterature，topublishinnumbers。"
　　"HowwastheRAMBLERpublished，ma’am？"askedCaptainBrowninalowvoice，whichIthinkMissJenkynscouldnothaveheard。
　　"DrJohnson’sstyleisamodelforyoungbeginners。MyfatherrecommendedittomewhenIbegantowriteletters—Ihaveformedmyownstyleuponit；Irecommendedittoyourfavourite。"
　　"Ishouldbeverysorryforhimtoexchangehisstyleforanysuchpompouswriting，"saidCaptainBrown。
　　MissJenkynsfeltthisasapersonalaffront，inawayofwhichtheCaptainhadnotdreamed。EpistolarywritingsheandherfriendsconsideredasherFORTE。ManyacopyofmanyaletterhaveIseenwrittenandcorrectedontheslate，beforeshe"seizedthehalf—
　　hourjustprevioustopost—timetoassure"herfriendsofthisorofthat；andDrJohnsonwas，asshesaid，hermodelinthesecompositions。Shedrewherselfupwithdignity，andonlyrepliedtoCaptainBrown’slastremarkbysaying，withmarkedemphasisoneverysyllable，"IpreferDrJohnsontoMrBoz。"
　　Itissaid—Iwon’tvouchforthefact—thatCaptainBrownwasheardtosay，SOTTOVOCE，"D—nDrJohnson！"Ifhedid，hewaspenitentafterwards，asheshowedbygoingtostandnearMissJenkyns’arm—chair，andendeavouringtobeguileherintoconversationonsomemorepleasingsubject。Butshewasinexorable。ThenextdayshemadetheremarkIhavementionedaboutMissJessie’sdimples。
　　CHAPTERII—THECAPTAIN
　　ITwasimpossibletoliveamonthatCranfordandnotknowthedailyhabitsofeachresident；andlongbeforemyvisitwasendedI
　　knewmuchconcerningthewholeBrowntrio。Therewasnothingnewtobediscoveredrespectingtheirpoverty；fortheyhadspokensimplyandopenlyaboutthatfromtheveryfirst。Theymadenomysteryofthenecessityfortheirbeingeconomical。AllthatremainedtobediscoveredwastheCaptain’sinfinitekindnessofheart，andthevariousmodesinwhich，unconsciouslytohimself，hemanifestedit。Somelittleanecdotesweretalkedaboutforsometimeaftertheyoccurred。Aswedidnotreadmuch，andasalltheladieswereprettywellsuitedwithservants，therewasadearthofsubjectsforconversation。WethereforediscussedthecircumstanceoftheCaptaintakingapooroldwoman’sdinneroutofherhandsoneveryslipperySunday。Hehadmetherreturningfromthebakehouseashecamefromchurch，andnoticedherprecariousfooting；and，withthegravedignitywithwhichhedideverything，herelievedherofherburden，andsteeredalongthestreetbyherside，carryingherbakedmuttonandpotatoessafelyhome。Thiswasthoughtveryeccentric；anditwasratherexpectedthathewouldpayaroundofcalls，ontheMondaymorning，toexplainandapologisetotheCranfordsenseofpropriety：buthedidnosuchthing：andthenitwasdecidedthathewasashamed，andwaskeepingoutofsight。Inakindlypityforhim，webegantosay，"Afterall，theSundaymorning’soccurrenceshowedgreatgoodnessofheart，"anditwasresolvedthatheshouldbecomfortedonhisnextappearanceamongstus；but，lo！hecamedownuponus，untouchedbyanysenseofshame，speakingloudandbassasever，hisheadthrownback，hiswigasjauntyandwell—curledasusual，andwewereobligedtoconcludehehadforgottenallaboutSunday。
　　MissPoleandMissJessieBrownhadsetupakindofintimacyonthestrengthoftheShetlandwoolandthenewknittingstitches；soithappenedthatwhenIwenttovisitMissPoleIsawmoreoftheBrownsthanIhaddonewhilestayingwithMissJenkyns，whohadnevergotoverwhatshecalledCaptainBrown’sdisparagingremarksuponDrJohnsonasawriteroflightandagreeablefiction。I
　　foundthatMissBrownwasseriouslyillofsomelingering，incurablecomplaint，thepainoccasionedbywhichgavetheuneasyexpressiontoherfacethatIhadtakenforunmitigatedcrossness。
　　Cross，too，shewasattimes，whenthenervousirritabilityoccasionedbyherdiseasebecamepastendurance。MissJessieborewithheratthesetimes，evenmorepatientlythanshedidwiththebitterself—upbraidingsbywhichtheywereinvariablysucceeded。
　　MissBrownusedtoaccuseherself，notmerelyofhastyandirritabletemper，butalsoofbeingthecausewhyherfatherandsisterwereobligedtopinch，inordertoallowherthesmallluxurieswhichwerenecessariesinhercondition。Shewouldsofainhavemadesacrificesforthem，andhavelightenedtheircares，thattheoriginalgenerosityofherdispositionaddedacerbitytohertemper。AllthiswasbornebyMissJessieandherfatherwithmorethanplacidity—withabsolutetenderness。IforgaveMissJessiehersingingoutoftune，andherjuvenilityofdress，whenI
　　sawherathome。IcametoperceivethatCaptainBrown’sdarkBrutuswigandpaddedcoat（alas！toooftenthreadbare）wereremnantsofthemilitarysmartnessofhisyouth，whichhenowworeunconsciously。Hewasamanofinfiniteresources，gainedinhisbarrackexperience。Asheconfessed，noonecouldblackhisbootstopleasehimexcepthimself；but，indeed，hewasnotabovesavingthelittlemaid—servant’slaboursineveryway—knowing，mostlikely，thathisdaughter’sillnessmadetheplaceahardone。
　　HeendeavouredtomakepeacewithMissJenkynssoonafterthememorabledisputeIhavenamed，byapresentofawoodenfire—
　　shovel（hisownmaking），havingheardhersayhowmuchthegratingofanirononeannoyedher。Shereceivedthepresentwithcoolgratitude，andthankedhimformally。Whenhewasgone，shebademeputitawayinthelumber—room；feeling，probably，thatnopresentfromamanwhopreferredMrBoztoDrJohnsoncouldbelessjarringthananironfire—shovel。
　　SuchwasthestateofthingswhenIleftCranfordandwenttoDrumble。Ihad，however，severalcorrespondents，whokeptmeAU
　　FAITastotheproceedingsofthedearlittletown。TherewasMissPole，whowasbecomingasmuchabsorbedincrochetasshehadbeenonceinknitting，andtheburdenofwhoseletterwassomethinglike，"Butdon’tyouforgetthewhiteworstedatFlint’s"oftheoldsong；forattheendofeverysentenceofnewscameafreshdirectionastosomecrochetcommissionwhichIwastoexecuteforher。MissMatildaJenkyns（whodidnotmindbeingcalledMissMatty，whenMissJenkynswasnotby）wrotenice，kind，ramblingletters，nowandthenventuringintoanopinionofherown；butsuddenlypullingherselfup，andeitherbeggingmenottonamewhatshehadsaid，asDeborahthoughtdifferently，andSHEknew，orelseputtinginapostscripttotheeffectthat，sincewritingtheabove，shehadbeentalkingoverthesubjectwithDeborah，andwasquiteconvincedthat，etc。—（hereprobablyfollowedarecantationofeveryopinionshehadgivenintheletter）。ThencameMissJenkyns—Deborah，asshelikedMissMattytocallher，herfatherhavingoncesaidthattheHebrewnameoughttobesopronounced。I
　　secretlythinkshetooktheHebrewprophetessforamodelincharacter；and，indeed，shewasnotunlikethesternprophetessinsomeways，makingallowance，ofcourse，formoderncustomsanddifferenceindress。MissJenkynsworeacravat，andalittlebonnetlikeajockey—cap，andaltogetherhadtheappearanceofastrong—mindedwoman；althoughshewouldhavedespisedthemodernideaofwomenbeingequaltomen。Equal，indeed！sheknewtheyweresuperior。Buttoreturntoherletters。Everythinginthemwasstatelyandgrandlikeherself。Ihavebeenlookingthemover（dearMissJenkyns，howIhonouredher！）andIwillgiveanextract，moreespeciallybecauseitrelatestoourfriendCaptainBrown：—
　　"TheHonourableMrsJamiesonhasonlyjustquittedme；and，inthecourseofconversation，shecommunicatedtometheintelligencethatshehadyesterdayreceivedacallfromherreveredhusband’squondamfriend，LordMauleverer。Youwillnoteasilyconjecturewhatbroughthislordshipwithintheprecinctsofourlittletown。
　　ItwastoseeCaptainBrown，withwhom，itappears，hislordshipwasacquaintedinthe’plumedwars，’andwhohadtheprivilegeofavertingdestructionfromhislordship’sheadwhensomegreatperilwasimpendingoverit，offthemisnomeredCapeofGoodHope。YouknowourfriendtheHonourableMrsJamieson’sdeficiencyinthespiritofinnocentcuriosity，andyouwillthereforenotbesomuchsurprisedwhenItellyoushewasquiteunabletodisclosetometheexactnatureoftheperilinquestion。Iwasanxious，I
　　confess，toascertaininwhatmannerCaptainBrown，withhislimitedestablishment，couldreceivesodistinguishedaguest；andIdiscoveredthathislordshipretiredtorest，and，letushope，torefreshingslumbers，attheAngelHotel；butsharedtheBrunonianmealsduringthetwodaysthathehonouredCranfordwithhisaugustpresence。MrsJohnson，ourcivilbutcher’swife，informsmethatMissJessiepurchasedalegoflamb；but，besidesthis，Icanhearofnopreparationwhatevertogiveasuitablereceptiontosodistinguishedavisitor。Perhapstheyentertainedhimwith’thefeastofreasonandtheflowofsoul’；andtous，whoareacquaintedwithCaptainBrown’ssadwantofrelishfor’thepurewellsofEnglishundefiled，’itmaybematterforcongratulationthathehashadtheopportunityofimprovinghistastebyholdingconversewithanelegantandrefinedmemberoftheBritisharistocracy。Butfromsomemundanefailingswhoisaltogetherfree？"
　　MissPoleandMissMattywrotetomebythesamepost。SuchapieceofnewsasLordMauleverer’svisitwasnottobelostontheCranfordletter—writers：theymadethemostofit。MissMattyhumblyapologisedforwritingatthesametimeashersister，whowassomuchmorecapablethanshetodescribethehonourdonetoCranford；butinspiteofalittlebadspelling，MissMatty’saccountgavemethebestideaofthecommotionoccasionedbyhislordship’svisit，afterithadoccurred；for，exceptthepeopleattheAngel，theBrowns，MrsJamieson，andalittleladhislordshiphadswornatfordrivingadirtyhoopagainstthearistocraticlegs，Icouldnothearofanyonewithwhomhislordshiphadheldconversation。
　　MynextvisittoCranfordwasinthesummer。Therehadbeenneitherbirths，deaths，normarriagessinceIwastherelast。
　　Everybodylivedinthesamehouse，andworeprettynearlythesamewell—preserved，old—fashionedclothes。Thegreatesteventwas，thatMissJenkynshadpurchasedanewcarpetforthedrawing—room。
　　Oh，thebusyworkMissMattyandIhadinchasingthesunbeams，astheyfellinanafternoonrightdownonthiscarpetthroughtheblindlesswindow！Wespreadnewspapersovertheplacesandsatdowntoourbookorourwork；and，lo！inaquarterofanhourthesunhadmoved，andwasblazingawayonafreshspot；anddownagainwewentonourkneestoalterthepositionofthenewspapers。Wewereverybusy，too，onewholemorning，beforeMissJenkynsgaveherparty，infollowingherdirections，andincuttingoutandstitchingtogetherpiecesofnewspapersoastoformlittlepathstoeverychairsetfortheexpectedvisitors，lesttheirshoesmightdirtyordefilethepurityofthecarpet。DoyoumakepaperpathsforeveryguesttowalkuponinLondon？
　　CaptainBrownandMissJenkynswerenotverycordialtoeachother。
　　Theliterarydispute，ofwhichIhadseenthebeginning，wasa"raw，"theslightesttouchonwhichmadethemwince。Itwastheonlydifferenceofopiniontheyhadeverhad；butthatdifferencewasenough。MissJenkynscouldnotrefrainfromtalkingatCaptainBrown；and，thoughhedidnotreply，hedrummedwithhisfingers，whichactionshefeltandresentedasverydisparagingtoDrJohnson。HewasratherostentatiousinhispreferenceofthewritingsofMrBoz；wouldwalkthroughthestreetssoabsorbedinthemthatheallbutranagainstMissJenkyns；andthoughhisapologieswereearnestandsincere，andthoughhedidnot，infact，domorethanstartleherandhimself，sheownedtomeshehadratherhehadknockedherdown，ifhehadonlybeenreadingahigherstyleofliterature。Thepoor，braveCaptain！helookedolder，andmoreworn，andhisclotheswereverythreadbare。Butheseemedasbrightandcheerfulasever，unlesshewasaskedabouthisdaughter’shealth。
　　"Shesuffersagreatdeal，andshemustsuffermore：wedowhatwecantoalleviateherpain；—God’swillbedone！"Hetookoffhishatattheselastwords。Ifound，fromMissMatty，thateverythinghadbeendone，infact。Amedicalman，ofhighreputeinthatcountryneighbourhood，hadbeensentfor，andeveryinjunctionhehadgivenwasattendedto，regardlessofexpense。MissMattywassuretheydeniedthemselvesmanythingsinordertomaketheinvalidcomfortable；buttheyneverspokeaboutit；andasforMissJessie！—"Ireallythinkshe’sanangel，"saidpoorMissMatty，quiteovercome。"ToseeherwayofbearingwithMissBrown’scrossness，andthebrightfacesheputsonaftershe’sbeensittingupawholenightandscoldedabovehalfofit，isquitebeautiful。
　　YetshelooksasneatandasreadytowelcometheCaptainatbreakfast—timeasifshehadbeenasleepintheQueen’sbedallnight。Mydear！youcouldneverlaughatherprimlittlecurlsorherpinkbowsagainifyousawherasIhavedone。"Icouldonlyfeelverypenitent，andgreetMissJessiewithdoublerespectwhenImethernext。Shelookedfadedandpinched；andherlipsbegantoquiver，asifshewasveryweak，whenshespokeofhersister。
　　Butshebrightened，andsentbackthetearsthatwereglitteringinherprettyeyes，asshesaid—
　　"But，tobesure，whatatownCranfordisforkindness！Idon’tsupposeanyonehasabetterdinnerthanusualcookedbutthebestpartofallcomesinalittlecoveredbasinformysister。Thepoorpeoplewillleavetheirearliestvegetablesatourdoorforher。Theyspeakshortandgruff，asiftheywereashamedofit：
　　butIamsureitoftengoestomyhearttoseetheirthoughtfulness。"Thetearsnowcamebackandoverflowed；butafteraminuteortwoshebegantoscoldherself，andendedbygoingawaythesamecheerfulMissJessieasever。
　　"ButwhydoesnotthisLordMaulevererdosomethingforthemanwhosavedhislife？"saidI。
　　"Why，yousee，unlessCaptainBrownhassomereasonforit，heneverspeaksaboutbeingpoor；andhewalkedalongbyhislordshiplookingashappyandcheerfulasaprince；andastheynevercalledattentiontotheirdinnerbyapologies，andasMissBrownwasbetterthatday，andallseemedbright，Idaresayhislordshipneverknewhowmuchcaretherewasinthebackground。Hedidsendgameinthewinterprettyoften，butnowheisgoneabroad。"
　　IhadoftenoccasiontonoticetheusethatwasmadeoffragmentsandsmallopportunitiesinCranford；therose—leavesthatweregatherederetheyfelltomakeintoapotpourriforsomeonewhohadnogarden；thelittlebundlesoflavenderflowerssenttostrewthedrawersofsometown—dweller，ortoburninthechamberofsomeinvalid。Thingsthatmanywoulddespise，andactionswhichitseemedscarcelyworthwhiletoperform，wereallattendedtoinCranford。MissJenkynsstuckanapplefullofcloves，tobeheatedandsmellpleasantlyinMissBrown’sroom；andassheputineachclovesheutteredaJohnsoniansentence。Indeed，shenevercouldthinkoftheBrownswithouttalkingJohnson；and，astheywereseldomabsentfromherthoughtsjustthen，Iheardmanyarolling，three—piledsentence。
　　CaptainBrowncalledonedaytothankMistJenkynsformanylittlekindnesses，whichIdidnotknowuntilthenthatshehadrendered。
　　Hehadsuddenlybecomelikeanoldman；hisdeepbassvoicehadaquaveringinit，hiseyeslookeddim，andthelinesonhisfaceweredeep。Hedidnot—couldnot—speakcheerfullyofhisdaughter’sstate，buthetalkedwithmanly，piousresignation，andnotmuch。Twiceoverhesaid，"WhatJessiehasbeentous，Godonlyknows！"andafterthesecondtime，hegotuphastily，shookhandsallroundwithoutspeaking，andlefttheroom。
　　Thatafternoonweperceivedlittlegroupsinthestreet，alllisteningwithfacesaghasttosometaleorother。MissJenkynswonderedwhatcouldbethematterforsometimebeforeshetooktheundignifiedstepofsendingJennyouttoinquire。
　　Jennycamebackwithawhitefaceofterror。"Oh，ma’am！Oh，MissJenkyns，ma’am！CaptainBrowniskilledbythemnastycruelrailroads！"andsheburstintotears。She，alongwithmanyothers，hadexperiencedthepoorCaptain’skindness。
　　"How？—where—where？GoodGod！Jenny，don’twastetimeincrying，buttellussomething。"MissMattyrushedoutintothestreetatonce，andcollaredthemanwhowastellingthetale。
　　"Comein—cometomysisteratonce，MissJenkyns，therector’sdaughter。Oh，man，man！sayitisnottrue，"shecried，asshebroughttheaffrightedcarter，sleekingdownhishair，intothedrawing—room，wherehestoodwithhiswetbootsonthenewcarpet，andnooneregardedit。
　　"Please，mum，itistrue。Iseeditmyself，"andheshudderedattherecollection。"TheCaptainwasa—readingsomenewbookashewasdeepin，a—waitingforthedowntrain；andtherewasalittlelassaswantedtocometoitsmammy，andgaveitssistertheslip，andcametoddlingacrosstheline。Andhelookedupsudden，atthesoundofthetraincoming，andseedthechild，andhedartedonthelineandcotcheditup，andhisfootslipped，andthetraincameoverhiminnotime。OLord，Lord！Mum，it’squitetrue，andthey’vecomeovertotellhisdaughters。Thechild’ssafe，though，withonlyabangonitsshoulderashethrewittoitsmammy。PoorCaptainwouldbegladofthat，mum，wouldn’the？Godblesshim！"
　　Thegreatroughcarterpuckereduphismanlyface，andturnedawaytohidehistears。IturnedtoMissJenkyns。Shelookedveryill，asifsheweregoingtofaint，andsignedtometoopenthewindow。
　　"Matilda，bringmemybonnet。Imustgotothosegirls。Godpardonme，ifeverIhavespokencontemptuouslytotheCaptain！"
　　MissJenkynsarrayedherselftogoout，tellingMissMatildatogivethemanaglassofwine。Whileshewasaway，MissMattyandI
　　huddledoverthefire，talkinginalowandawe—struckvoice。I
　　knowwecriedquietlyallthetime。
　　MissJenkynscamehomeinasilentmood，andwedurstnotaskhermanyquestions。ShetoldusthatMissJessiehadfainted，andthatsheandMissPolehadhadsomedifficultyinbringingherround；
　　butthat，assoonassherecovered，shebeggedoneofthemtogoandsitwithhersister。
　　"MrHogginssaysshecannotlivemanydays，andsheshallbesparedthisshock，"saidMissJessie，shiveringwithfeelingstowhichshedarednotgiveway。
　　"Buthowcanyoumanage，mydear？"askedMissJenkyns；"youcannotbearup，shemustseeyourtears。"
　　"Godwillhelpme—Iwillnotgiveway—shewasasleepwhenthenewscame；shemaybeasleepyet。Shewouldbesoutterlymiserable，notmerelyatmyfather’sdeath，buttothinkofwhatwouldbecomeofme；sheissogoodtome。"Shelookedupearnestlyintheirfaceswithhersofttrueeyes，andMissPoletoldMissJenkynsafterwardsshecouldhardlybearit，knowing，asshedid，howMissBrowntreatedhersister。
　　However，itwassettledaccordingtoMissJessie’swish。MissBrownwastobetoldherfatherhadbeensummonedtotakeashortjourneyonrailwaybusiness。Theyhadmanageditinsomeway—
　　MissJenkynscouldnotexactlysayhow。MissPolewastostopwithMissJessie。MrsJamiesonhadsenttoinquire。Andthiswasallweheardthatnight；andasorrowfulnightitwas。ThenextdayafullaccountofthefatalaccidentwasinthecountypaperwhichMissJenkynstookin。Hereyeswereveryweak，shesaid，andsheaskedmetoreadit。WhenIcametothe"gallantgentlemanwasdeeplyengagedintheperusalofanumberof’Pickwick，’whichhehadjustreceived，"MissJenkynsshookherheadlongandsolemnly，andthensighedout，"Poor，dear，infatuatedman！"
　　Thecorpsewastobetakenfromthestationtotheparishchurch，theretobeinterred。MissJessiehadsetherheartonfollowingittothegrave；andnodissuasivescouldalterherresolve。Herrestraintuponherselfmadeheralmostobstinate；sheresistedallMissPole’sentreatiesandMissJenkyns’advice。AtlastMissJenkynsgaveupthepoint；andafterasilence，whichIfearedportendedsomedeepdispleasureagainstMissJessie，MissJenkynssaidsheshouldaccompanythelattertothefuneral。
　　"Itisnotfitforyoutogoalone。ItwouldbeagainstbothproprietyandhumanitywereItoallowit。"
　　MissJessieseemedasifshedidnothalflikethisarrangement；
　　butherobstinacy，ifshehadany，hadbeenexhaustedinherdeterminationtogototheinterment。Shelonged，poorthing，I
　　havenodoubt，tocryaloneoverthegraveofthedearfathertowhomshehadbeenallinall，andtogiveway，foronelittlehalf—
　　hour，uninterruptedbysympathyandunobservedbyfriendship。Butitwasnottobe。ThatafternoonMissJenkynssentoutforayardofblackcrape，andemployedherselfbusilyintrimmingthelittleblacksilkbonnetIhavespokenabout。Whenitwasfinishedsheputiton，andlookedatusforapprobation—admirationshedespised。Iwasfullofsorrow，but，byoneofthosewhimsicalthoughtswhichcomeunbiddenintoourheads，intimesofdeepestgrief，InosoonersawthebonnetthanIwasremindedofahelmet；
　　andinthathybridbonnet，halfhelmet，halfjockey—cap，didMissJenkynsattendCaptainBrown’sfuneral，and，Ibelieve，supportedMissJessiewithatender，indulgentfirmnesswhichwasinvaluable，allowinghertoweepherpassionatefillbeforetheyleft。
　　MissPole，MissMatty，andI，meanwhileattendedtoMissBrown：andhardworkwefoundittorelieveherquerulousandnever—endingcomplaints。Butifweweresowearyanddispirited，whatmustMissJessiehavebeen！Yetshecamebackalmostcalmasifshehadgainedanewstrength。Sheputoffhermourningdress，andcamein，lookingpaleandgentle，thankinguseachwithasoftlongpressureofthehand。Shecouldevensmile—afaint，sweet，wintrysmile—asiftoreassureusofherpowertoendure；butherlookmadeoureyesfillsuddenlywithtears，morethanifshehadcriedoutright。
　　ItwassettledthatMissPolewastoremainwithherallthewatchinglivelongnight；andthatMissMattyandIweretoreturninthemorningtorelievethem，andgiveMissJessietheopportunityforafewhoursofsleep。Butwhenthemorningcame，MissJenkynsappearedatthebreakfast—table，equippedinherhelmet—bonnet，andorderedMissMattytostayathome，asshemeanttogoandhelptonurse。Shewasevidentlyinastateofgreatfriendlyexcitement，whichsheshowedbyeatingherbreakfaststanding，andscoldingthehouseholdallround。
　　Nonursing—noenergeticstrong—mindedwomancouldhelpMissBrownnow。Therewasthatintheroomasweenteredwhichwasstrongerthanusall，andmadeusshrinkintosolemnawestruckhelplessness。
　　MissBrownwasdying。Wehardlyknewhervoice，itwassodevoidofthecomplainingtonewehadalwaysassociatedwithit。MissJessietoldmeafterwardsthatit，andherfacetoo，werejustwhattheyhadbeenformerly，whenhermother’sdeathlefthertheyounganxiousheadofthefamily，ofwhomonlyMissJessiesurvived。
　　Shewasconsciousofhersister’spresence，thoughnot，Ithink，ofours。Westoodalittlebehindthecurtain：MissJessiekneltwithherfacenearhersister’s，inordertocatchthelastsoftawfulwhispers。
　　"Oh，Jessie！Jessie！HowselfishIhavebeen！Godforgivemeforlettingyousacrificeyourselfformeasyoudid！Ihavesolovedyou—andyetIhavethoughtonlyofmyself。Godforgiveme！"
　　"Hush，love！hush！"saidMissJessie，sobbing。
　　"Andmyfather，mydear，dearfather！Iwillnotcomplainnow，ifGodwillgivemestrengthtobepatient。But，oh，Jessie！tellmyfatherhowIlongedandyearnedtoseehimatlast，andtoaskhisforgiveness。HecanneverknownowhowIlovedhim—oh！ifI
　　mightbuttellhim，beforeIdie！Whatalifeofsorrowhishasbeen，andIhavedonesolittletocheerhim！"
　　AlightcameintoMissJessie’sface。"Woulditcomfortyou，dearest，tothinkthathedoesknow？—woulditcomfortyou，love，toknowthathiscares，hissorrows"—Hervoicequivered，butshesteadieditintocalmness—"Mary！hehasgonebeforeyoutotheplacewherethewearyareatrest。Heknowsnowhowyoulovedhim。"
　　Astrangelook，whichwasnotdistress，cameoverMissBrown’sface。Shedidnotspeakforcometime，butthenwesawherlipsformthewords，ratherthanheardthesound—"Father，mother，Harry，Archy；"—then，asifitwereanewideathrowingafilmyshadowoverherdarkenedmind—"Butyouwillbealone，Jessie！"
　　MissJessiehadbeenfeelingthisallduringthesilence，Ithink；
　　forthetearsrolleddownhercheekslikerain，atthesewords，andshecouldnotansweratfirst。Thensheputherhandstogethertight，andliftedthemup，andsaid—butnottous—"ThoughHeslayme，yetwillItrustinHim。"
　　InafewmomentsmoreMissBrownlaycalmandstill—nevertosorrowormurmurmore。
　　Afterthissecondfuneral，MissJenkynsinsistedthatMissJessieshouldcometostaywithherratherthangobacktothedesolatehouse，which，infact，welearnedfromMissJessie，mustnowbegivenup，asshehadnotwherewithaltomaintainit。Shehadsomethingabovetwentypoundsayear，besidestheinterestofthemoneyforwhichthefurniturewouldsell；butshecouldnotliveuponthat：andsowetalkedoverherqualificationsforearningmoney。
　　"Icansewneatly，"saidshe，"andIlikenursing。Ithink，too，I
　　couldmanageahouse，ifanyonewouldtrymeashousekeeper；orI
　　wouldgointoashopassaleswoman，iftheywouldhavepatiencewithmeatfirst。"
　　MissJenkynsdeclared，inanangryvoice，thatsheshoulddonosuchthing；andtalkedtoherselfabout"somepeoplehavingnoideaoftheirrankasacaptain’sdaughter，"nearlyanhourafterwards，whenshebroughtMissJessieupabasinofdelicately—madearrowroot，andstoodoverherlikeadragoonuntilthelastspoonfulwasfinished：thenshedisappeared。MissJessiebegantotellmesomemoreoftheplanswhichhadsuggestedthemselvestoher，andinsensiblyfellintotalkingofthedaysthatwerepastandgone，andinterestedmesomuchIneitherknewnorheededhowtimepassed。WewerebothstartledwhenMissJenkynsreappeared，andcaughtuscrying。Iwasafraidlestshewouldbedispleased，assheoftensaidthatcryinghindereddigestion，andIknewshewantedMissJessietogetstrong；but，instead，shelookedqueerandexcited，andfidgetedrounduswithoutsayinganything。Atlastshespoke。
　　"Ihavebeensomuchstartled—no，I’venotbeenatallstartled—
　　don’tmindme，mydearMissJessie—I’vebeenverymuchsurprised—infact，I’vehadacaller，whomyouknewonce，mydearMissJessie"—
　　MissJessiewentverywhite，thenflushedscarlet，andlookedeagerlyatMissJenkyns。
　　"Agentleman，mydear，whowantstoknowifyouwouldseehim。"
　　"Isit？—itisnot"—stammeredoutMissJessie—andgotnofarther。
　　"Thisishiscard，"saidMissJenkyns，givingittoMissJessie；
　　andwhileherheadwasbentoverit，MissJenkynswentthroughaseriesofwinksandoddfacestome，andformedherlipsintoalongsentence，ofwhich，ofcourse，Icouldnotunderstandaword。
　　"Mayhecomeup？"askedMissJenkynsatlast。
　　"Oh，yes！certainly！"saidMissJessie，asmuchastosay，thisisyourhouse，youmayshowanyvisitorwhereyoulike。ShetookupsomeknittingofMissMatty’sandbegantobeverybusy，thoughI
　　couldseehowshetrembledallover。
　　MissJenkynsrangthebell，andtoldtheservantwhoansweredittoshowMajorGordonupstairs；and，presently，inwalkedatall，fine，frank—lookingmanoffortyorupwards。HeshookhandswithMissJessie；buthecouldnotseehereyes，shekeptthemsofixedontheground。MissJenkynsaskedmeifIwouldcomeandhelphertotieupthepreservesinthestore—room；andthoughMissJessiepluckedatmygown，andevenlookedupatmewithbeggingeye，I
　　durstnotrefusetogowhereMissJenkynsasked。Insteadoftyinguppreservesinthestore—room，however，wewenttotalkinthedining—room；andthereMissJenkynstoldmewhatMajorGordonhadtoldher；howhehadservedinthesameregimentwithCaptainBrown，andhadbecomeacquaintedwithMissJessie，thenasweet—
　　looking，bloominggirlofeighteen；howtheacquaintancehadgrownintoloveonhispart，thoughithadbeensomeyearsbeforehehadspoken；how，onbecomingpossessed，throughthewillofanuncle，ofagoodestateinScotland，hehadofferedandbeenrefused，thoughwithsomuchagitationandevidentdistressthathewassureshewasnotindifferenttohim；andhowhehaddiscoveredthattheobstaclewasthefelldiseasewhichwas，eventhen，toosurelythreateninghersister。Shehadmentionedthatthesurgeonsforetoldintensesuffering；andtherewasnoonebutherselftonurseherpoorMary，orcheerandcomfortherfatherduringthetimeofillness。Theyhadhadlongdiscussions；andonherrefusaltopledgeherselftohimashiswifewhenallshouldbeover，hehadgrownangry，andbrokenoffentirely，andgoneabroad，believingthatshewasacold—heartedpersonwhomhewoulddowelltoforget。
　　HehadbeentravellingintheEast，andwasonhisreturnhomewhen，atRome，hesawtheaccountofCaptainBrown’sdeathinGALIGNANI。
　　JustthenMissMatty，whohadbeenoutallthemorning，andhadonlylatelyreturnedtothehouse，burstinwithafaceofdismayandoutragedpropriety。
　　"Oh，goodnessme！"shesaid。"Deborah，there’sagentlemansittinginthedrawing—roomwithhisarmroundMissJessie’swaist！"MissMatty’seyeslookedlargewithterror。
　　MissJenkynssnubbedherdowninaninstant。
　　"Themostproperplaceintheworldforhisarmtobein。Goaway，Matilda，andmindyourownbusiness。"Thisfromhersister，whohadhithertobeenamodeloffemininedecorum，wasablowforpoorMissMatty，andwithadoubleshockshelefttheroom。
　　ThelasttimeIeversawpoorMissJenkynswasmanyyearsafterthis。MrsGordonhadkeptupawarmandaffectionateintercoursewithallatCranford。MissJenkyns，MissMatty，andMissPolehadallbeentovisither，andreturnedwithwonderfulaccountsofherhouse，herhusband，herdress，andherlooks。For，withhappiness，somethingofherearlybloomreturned；shehadbeenayearortwoyoungerthanwehadtakenherfor。Hereyeswerealwayslovely，and，asMrsGordon，herdimpleswerenotoutofplace。AtthetimetowhichIhavereferred，whenIlastsawMissJenkyns，thatladywasoldandfeeble，andhadlostsomethingofherstrongmind。
　　LittleFloraGordonwasstayingwiththeMissesJenkyns，andwhenI
　　cameinshewasreadingaloudtoMissJenkyns，wholayfeebleandchangedonthesofa。FloraputdowntheRAMBLERwhenIcamein。
　　"Ah！"saidMissJenkyns，"youfindmechanged，mydear。Ifcan’tseeasIusedtodo。IFlorawerenotheretoreadtome，IhardlyknowhowIshouldgetthroughtheday。DidyoueverreadtheRAMBLER？It’sawonderfulbook—wonderful！andthemostimprovingreadingforFlora"（whichIdaresayitwouldhavebeen，ifshecouldhavereadhalfthewordswithoutspelling，andcouldhaveunderstoodthemeaningofathird），"betterthanthatstrangeoldbook，withthequeername，poorCaptainBrownwaskilledforreading—thatbookbyMrBoz，youknow—’OldPoz’；whenIwasagirl—butthat’salongtimeago—IactedLucyin’OldPoz。’"
　　ShebabbledonlongenoughforFloratogetagoodlongspellatthe"ChristmasCarol，"whichMissMattyhadleftonthetable。
　　CHAPTERIII—ALOVEAFFAIROFLONGAGO
　　ITHOUGHTthatprobablymyconnectionwithCranfordwouldceaseafterMissJenkyns’sdeath；atleast，thatitwouldhavetobekeptupbycorrespondence，whichbearsmuchthesamerelationtopersonalintercoursethatthebooksofdriedplantsIsometimessee（"HortusSiccus，"Ithinktheycallthething）dotothelivingandfreshflowersinthelinesandmeadows。Iwaspleasantlysurprised，therefore，byreceivingaletterfromMissPole（whohadalwayscomeinforasupplementaryweekaftermyannualvisittoMissJenkyns）proposingthatIshouldgoandstaywithher；andthen，inacoupleofdaysaftermyacceptance，cameanotefromMissMatty，inwhich，inarathercircuitousandveryhumblemanner，shetoldmehowmuchpleasureIshouldconferifIcouldspendaweekortwowithher，eitherbeforeorafterIhadbeenatMissPole’s；"for，"shesaid，"sincemydearsister’sdeathIamwellawareIhavenoattractionstooffer；itisonlytothekindnessofmyfriendsthatIcanowetheircompany。"
　　OfcourseIpromisedtocometodearMissMattyassoonasIhadendedmyvisittoMissPole；andthedayaftermyarrivalatCranfordIwenttoseeher，muchwonderingwhatthehousewouldbelikewithoutMissJenkyns，andratherdreadingthechangedaspectofthings。MissMattybegantocryassoonasshesawme。Shewasevidentlynervousfromhavinganticipatedmycall。IcomfortedheraswellasIcould；andIfoundthebestconsolationIcouldgivewasthehonestpraisethatcamefrommyheartasIspokeofthedeceased。MissMattyslowlyshookherheadovereachvirtueasitwasnamedandattributedtohersister；andatlastshecouldnotrestrainthetearswhichhadlongbeensilentlyflowing，buthidherfacebehindherhandkerchiefandsobbedaloud。
　　"DearMissMatty，"saidI，takingherhand—forindeedIdidnotknowinwhatwaytotellherhowsorryIwasforher，leftdesertedintheworld。Sheputdownherhandkerchiefandsaid—
　　"Mydear，I’dratheryoudidnotcallmeMatty。Shedidnotlikeit；butIdidmanyathingshedidnotlike，I’mafraid—andnowshe’sgone！Ifyouplease，mylove，willyoucallmeMatilda？"
　　Ipromisedfaithfully，andbegantopractisethenewnamewithMissPolethatveryday；and，bydegrees，MissMatilda’sfeelingonthesubjectwasknownthroughCranford，andwealltriedtodropthemorefamiliarname，butwithsolittlesuccessthatby—and—bywegaveuptheattempt。
　　MyvisittoMissPolewasveryquiet。MissJenkynshadsolongtakentheleadinCranfordthatnowshewasgone，theyhardlyknewhowtogiveaparty。TheHonourableMrsJamieson，towhomMissJenkynsherselfhadalwaysyieldedthepostofhonour，wasfatandinert，andverymuchatthemercyofheroldservants。Iftheychosethatsheshouldgiveaparty，theyremindedherofthenecessityforsodoing：ifnot，sheletitalone。Therewasallthemoretimeformetohearold—worldstoriesfromMissPole，whileshesatknitting，andImakingmyfather’sshirts。IalwaystookaquantityofplainsewingtoCranford；for，aswedidnotreadmuch，orwalkmuch，Ifounditacapitaltimetogetthroughmywork。OneofMissPole’sstoriesrelatedtoashadowofaloveaffairthatwasdimlyperceivedorsuspectedlongyearsbefore。