Presently，thetimearrivedwhenIwastoremovetoMissMatilda’shouse。Ifoundhertimidandanxiousaboutthearrangementsformycomfort。Manyatime，whileIwasunpacking，didshecomebackwardsandforwardstostirthefirewhichburnedalltheworseforbeingsofrequentlypoked。
　　"Haveyoudrawersenough，dear？"askedshe。"Idon’tknowexactlyhowmysisterusedtoarrangethem。Shehadcapitalmethods。Iamsureshewouldhavetrainedaservantinaweektomakeabetterfirethanthis，andFannyhasbeenwithmefourmonths。"
　　Thissubjectofservantswasastandinggrievance，andIcouldnotwondermuchatit；forifgentlemenwerescarce，andalmostunheardofinthe"genteelsociety"ofCranford，theyortheircounterparts—handsomeyoungmen—aboundedinthelowerclasses。Theprettyneatservant—maidshadtheirchoiceofdesirable"followers"；andtheirmistresses，withouthavingthesortofmysteriousdreadofmenandmatrimonythatMissMatildahad，mightwellfeelalittleanxiouslesttheheadsoftheircomelymaidsshouldbeturnedbythejoiner，orthebutcher，orthegardener，whowereobliged，bytheircallings，tocometothehouse，andwho，asill—luckwouldhaveit，weregenerallyhandsomeandunmarried。Fanny’slovers，ifshehadany—andMissMatildasuspectedherofsomanyflirtationsthat，ifshehadnotbeenverypretty，Ishouldhavedoubtedherhavingone—wereaconstantanxietytohermistress。Shewasforbidden，bythearticlesofherengagement，tohave"followers"；
　　andthoughshehadanswered，innocentlyenough，doublingupthehemofherapronasshespoke，"Please，ma’am，Ineverhadmorethanoneatatime，"MissMattyprohibitedthatone。Butavisionofamanseemedtohauntthekitchen。Fannyassuredmethatitwasallfancy，orelseIshouldhavesaidmyselfthatIhadseenaman’scoat—tailswhiskintothesculleryonce，whenIwentonanerrandintothestore—roomatnight；andanotherevening，when，ourwatcheshavingstopped，Iwenttolookattheclock，therewasaveryoddappearance，singularlylikeayoungmansqueezedupbetweentheclockandthebackoftheopenkitchen—door：andI
　　thoughtFannysnatchedupthecandleveryhastily，soastothrowtheshadowontheclockface，whilesheverypositivelytoldmethetimehalf—an—hourtooearly，aswefoundoutafterwardsbythechurchclock。ButIdidnotaddtoMissMatty’sanxietiesbynamingmysuspicions，especiallyasFannysaidtome，thenextday，thatitwassuchaqueerkitchenforhavingoddshadowsaboutit，shereallywasalmostafraidtostay；"foryouknow，miss，"sheadded，"Idon’tseeacreaturefromsixo’clocktea，tillMissusringsthebellforprayersatten。"
　　However，itsofelloutthatFannyhadtoleaveandMissMatildabeggedmetostayand"settleher"withthenewmaid；towhichI
　　consented，afterIhadheardfrommyfatherthathedidnotwantmeathome。Thenewservantwasarough，honest—looking，countrygirl，whohadonlylivedinafarmplacebefore；butIlikedherlookswhenshecametobehired；andIpromisedMissMatildatoputherinthewaysofthehouse。ThesaidwayswerereligiouslysuchasMissMatildathoughthersisterwouldapprove。ManyadomesticruleandregulationhadbeenasubjectofplaintivewhisperedmurmurtomeduringMissJenkyns’slife；butnowthatshewasgone，IdonotthinkthatevenI，whowasafavourite，dursthavesuggestedanalteration。Togiveaninstance：weconstantlyadheredtotheformswhichwereobserved，atmeal—times，in"myfather，therector’shouse。"Accordingly，wehadalwayswineanddessert；butthedecanterswereonlyfilledwhentherewasaparty，andwhatremainedwasseldomtouched，thoughwehadtwowine—
　　glassesapieceeverydayafterdinner，untilthenextfestiveoccasionarrived，whenthestateoftheremainderwinewasexaminedintoinafamilycouncil。Thedregswereoftengiventothepoor：
　　butoccasionally，whenagooddealhadbeenleftatthelastparty（fivemonthsago，itmightbe），itwasaddedtosomeofafreshbottle，broughtupfromthecellar。IfancypoorCaptainBrowndidnotmuchlikewine，forInoticedheneverfinishedhisfirstglass，andmostmilitarymentakeseveral。Then，astoourdessert，MissJenkynsusedtogathercurrantsandgooseberriesforitherself，whichIsometimesthoughtwouldhavetastedbetterfreshfromthetrees；butthen，asMissJenkynsobserved，therewouldhavebeennothingfordessertinsummer—time。Asitwas，wefeltverygenteelwithourtwoglassesapiece，andadishofgooseberriesatthetop，ofcurrantsandbiscuitsatthesides，andtwodecantersatthebottom。Whenorangescamein，acuriousproceedingwasgonethrough。MissJenkynsdidnotliketocutthefruit；for，assheobserved，thejuiceallranoutnobodyknewwhere；sucking（onlyIthinksheusedsomemorereconditeword）wasinfacttheonlywayofenjoyingoranges；butthentherewastheunpleasantassociationwithaceremonyfrequentlygonethroughbylittlebabies；andso，afterdessert，inorangeseason，MissJenkynsandMissMattyusedtoriseup，possessthemselveseachofanorangeinsilence，andwithdrawtotheprivacyoftheirownroomstoindulgeinsuckingoranges。
　　Ihadonceortwicetried，onsuchoccasions，toprevailonMissMattytostay，andhadsucceededinhersister’slifetime。Iheldupascreen，anddidnotlook，and，asshesaid，shetriednottomakethenoiseveryoffensive；butnowthatshewasleftalone，sheseemedquitehorrifiedwhenIbeggedhertoremainwithmeinthewarmdining—parlour，andenjoyherorangeasshelikedbest。Andsoitwasineverything。MissJenkyns’srulesweremademorestringentthanever，becausetheframerofthemwasgonewheretherecouldbenoappeal。InallthingselseMissMatildawasmeekandundecidedtoafault。IhaveheardFannyturnherroundtwentytimesinamorningaboutdinner，justasthelittlehussychose；
　　andIsometimesfanciedsheworkedonMissMatilda’sweaknessinordertobewilderher，andtomakeherfeelmoreinthepowerofhercleverservant。IdeterminedthatIwouldnotleavehertillI
　　hadseenwhatsortofapersonMarthawas；and，ifIfoundhertrustworthy，Iwouldtellhernottotroublehermistresswitheverylittledecision。
　　Marthawasbluntandplain—spokentoafault；otherwiseshewasabrisk，well—meaning，butveryignorantgirl。ShehadnotbeenwithusaweekbeforeMissMatildaandIwereastoundedonemorningbythereceiptofaletterfromacousinofhers，whohadbeentwentyorthirtyyearsinIndia，andwhohadlately，aswehadseenbythe"ArmyList，"returnedtoEngland，bringingwithhimaninvalidwifewhohadneverbeenintroducedtoherEnglishrelations。MajorJenkynswrotetoproposethatheandhiswifeshouldspendanightatCranford，onhiswaytoScotland—attheinn，ifitdidnotsuitMissMatildatoreceivethemintoherhouse；inwhichcasetheyshouldhopetobewithherasmuchaspossibleduringtheday。
　　OfcourseitMUSTsuither，asshesaid；forallCranfordknewthatshehadhersister’sbedroomatliberty；butIamsureshewishedtheMajorhadstoppedinIndiaandforgottenhiscousinsoutandout。
　　"Oh！howmustImanage？"askedshehelplessly。"IfDeborahhadbeenaliveshewouldhaveknownwhattodowithagentleman—
　　visitor。MustIputrazorsinhisdressing—room？Dear！dear！andI’vegotnone。Deborahwouldhavehadthem。Andslippers，andcoat—brushes？"Isuggestedthatprobablyhewouldbringallthesethingswithhim。"Andafterdinner，howamItoknowwhentogetupandleavehimtohiswine？Deborahwouldhavedoneitsowell；
　　shewouldhavebeenquiteinherelement。Willhewantcoffee，doyouthink？"Iundertookthemanagementofthecoffee，andtoldherIwouldinstructMarthaintheartofwaiting—inwhichitmustbeownedshewasterriblydeficient—andthatIhadnodoubtMajorandMrsJenkynswouldunderstandthequietmodeinwhichaladylivedbyherselfinacountrytown。Butshewassadlyfluttered。
　　Imadeheremptyherdecantersandbringuptwofreshbottlesofwine。IwishedIcouldhavepreventedherfrombeingpresentatmyinstructionstoMartha，forshefrequentlycutinwithsomefreshdirection，muddlingthepoorgirl’smindasshestoodopen—mouthed，listeningtousboth。
　　"Handthevegetablesround，"saidI（foolishly，Iseenow—foritwasaimingatmorethanwecouldaccomplishwithquietnessandsimplicity）；andthen，seeingherlookbewildered，Iadded，"takethevegetablesroundtopeople，andletthemhelpthemselves。"
　　"Andmindyougofirsttotheladies，"putinMissMatilda。
　　"Alwaysgototheladiesbeforegentlemenwhenyouarewaiting。"
　　"I’lldoitasyoutellme，ma’am，"saidMartha；"butIlikeladsbest。"
　　WefeltveryuncomfortableandshockedatthisspeechofMartha’s，yetIdon’tthinkshemeantanyharm；and，onthewhole，sheattendedverywelltoourdirections，exceptthatshe"nudged"theMajorwhenhedidnothelphimselfassoonassheexpectedtothepotatoes，whileshewashandingthemround。
　　Themajorandhiswifewerequietunpretendingpeopleenoughwhentheydidcome；languid，asallEastIndiansare，Isuppose。Wewereratherdismayedattheirbringingtwoservantswiththem，aHindoobody—servantfortheMajor，andasteadyelderlymaidforhiswife；buttheysleptattheinn，andtookoffagooddealoftheresponsibilitybyattendingcarefullytotheirmaster’sandmistress’scomfort。Martha，tobesure，hadneverendedherstaringattheEastIndian’swhiteturbanandbrowncomplexion，andIsawthatMissMatildashrunkawayfromhimalittleashewaitedatdinner。Indeed，sheaskedme，whentheyweregone，ifhedidnotremindmeofBlueBeard？Onthewhole，thevisitwasmostsatisfactory，andisasubjectofconversationevennowwithMissMatilda；atthetimeitgreatlyexcitedCranford，andevenstirreduptheapatheticandHonourableMrsJamiesontosomeexpressionofinterest，whenIwenttocallandthankherforthekindanswersshehadvouchsafedtoMissMatilda’sinquiriesastothearrangementofagentleman’sdressing—room—answerswhichImustconfessshehadgivenintheweariedmanneroftheScandinavianprophetess—
　　"Leaveme，leavemetorepose。"
　　AndNOWIcometotheloveaffair。
　　ItseemsthatMissPolehadacousin，onceortwiceremoved，whohadofferedtoMissMattylongago。NowthiscousinlivedfourorfivemilesfromCranfordonhisownestate；buthispropertywasnotlargeenoughtoentitlehimtorankhigherthanayeoman；orrather，withsomethingofthe"pridewhichapeshumility，"hehadrefusedtopushhimselfon，assomanyofhisclasshaddone，intotheranksofthesquires。HewouldnotallowhimselftobecalledThomasHolbrook，ESQ。；heevensentbackletterswiththisaddress，tellingthepost—mistressatCranfordthathisnamewasMRThomasHolbrook，yeoman。Herejectedalldomesticinnovations；hewouldhavethehousedoorstandopeninsummerandshutinwinter，withoutknockerorbelltosummonaservant。Theclosedfistortheknobofastickdidthisofficeforhimifhefoundthedoorlocked。Hedespisedeveryrefinementwhichhadnotitsrootdeepdowninhumanity。Ifpeoplewerenotill，hesawnonecessityformoderatinghisvoice。Hespokethedialectofthecountryinperfection，andconstantlyuseditinconversation；althoughMissPole（whogavemetheseparticulars）added，thathereadaloudmorebeautifullyandwithmorefeelingthananyoneshehadeverheard，exceptthelaterector。
　　"AndhowcameMissMatildanottomarryhim？"askedI。
　　"Oh，Idon’tknow。Shewaswillingenough，Ithink；butyouknowCousinThomaswouldnothavebeenenoughofagentlemanfortherectorandMissJenkyns。"
　　"Well！buttheywerenottomarryhim，"saidI，impatiently。
　　"No；buttheydidnotlikeMissMattytomarrybelowherrank。Youknowshewastherector’sdaughter，andsomehowtheyarerelatedtoSirPeterArley：MissJenkynsthoughtadealofthat。"
　　"PoorMissMatty！"saidI。
　　"Nay，now，Idon’tknowanythingmorethanthatheofferedandwasrefused。MissMattymightnotlikehim—andMissJenkynsmightneverhavesaidaword—itisonlyaguessofmine。"
　　"Hassheneverseenhimsince？"Iinquired。
　　"No，Ithinknot。YouseeWoodley，CousinThomas’shouse，lieshalf—waybetweenCranfordandMisselton；andIknowhemadeMisseltonhismarket—townverysoonafterhehadofferedtoMissMatty；andIdon’tthinkhehasbeenintoCranfordaboveonceortwicesince—once，whenIwaswalkingwithMissMatty，inHighStreet，andsuddenlyshedartedfromme，andwentupShireLane。A
　　fewminutesafterIwasstartledbymeetingCousinThomas。"
　　"Howoldishe？"Iasked，afterapauseofcastle—building。
　　"Hemustbeaboutseventy，Ithink，mydear，"saidMissPole，blowingupmycastle，asifbygun—powder，intosmallfragments。
　　Verysoonafter—atleastduringmylongvisittoMissMatilda—I
　　hadtheopportunityofseeingMrHolbrook；seeing，too，hisfirstencounterwithhisformerlove，afterthirtyorfortyyears’
　　separation。Iwashelpingtodecidewhetheranyofthenewassortmentofcolouredsilkswhichtheyhadjustreceivedattheshopwoulddotomatchagreyandblackmousseline—delainethatwantedanewbreadth，whenatall，thin，DonQuixote—lookingoldmancameintotheshopforsomewoollengloves。Ihadneverseentheperson（whowasratherstriking）before，andIwatchedhimratherattentivelywhileMissMattylistenedtotheshopman。Thestrangerworeabluecoatwithbrassbuttons，drabbreeches，andgaiters，anddrummedwithhisfingersonthecounteruntilhewasattendedto。Whenheansweredtheshop—boy’squestion，"WhatcanI
　　havethepleasureofshowingyouto—day，sir？"IsawMissMatildastart，andthensuddenlysitdown；andinstantlyIguessedwhoitwas。Shehadmadesomeinquirywhichhadtobecarriedroundtotheothershopman。
　　"MissJenkynswantstheblacksarsenettwo—and—twopencetheyard"；
　　andMrHolbrookhadcaughtthename，andwasacrosstheshopintwostrides。
　　"Matty—MissMatilda—MissJenkyns！Godblessmysoul！Ishouldnothaveknownyou。Howareyou？howareyou？"Hekeptshakingherhandinawaywhichprovedthewarmthofhisfriendship；butherepeatedsooften，asiftohimself，"Ishouldnothaveknownyou！"
　　thatanysentimentalromancewhichImightbeinclinedtobuildwasquitedoneawaywithbyhismanner。
　　However，hekepttalkingtousallthetimewewereintheshop；
　　andthenwavingtheshopmanwiththeunpurchasedglovesononeside，with"Anothertime，sir！anothertime！"hewalkedhomewithus。Iamhappytosaymyclient，MissMatilda，alsolefttheshopinanequallybewilderedstate，nothavingpurchasedeithergreenorredsilk。MrHolbrookwasevidentlyfullwithhonestloud—
　　spokenjoyatmeetinghisoldloveagain；hetouchedonthechangesthathadtakenplace；heevenspokeofMissJenkynsas"Yourpoorsister！Well，well！wehaveallourfaults"；andbadeusgood—byewithmanyahopethatheshouldsoonseeMissMattyagain。Shewentstraighttoherroom，andnevercamebacktillourearlytea—
　　time，whenIthoughtshelookedasifshehadbeencrying。
　　CHAPTERIV—AVISITTOANOLDBACHELOR
　　AFEWdaysafter，anotecamefromMrHolbrook，askingus—
　　impartiallyaskingbothofus—inaformal，old—fashionedstyle，tospendadayathishouse—alongJuneday—foritwasJunenow。Henamedthathehadalsoinvitedhiscousin，MissPole；sothatwemightjoininafly，whichcouldbeputupathishouse。
　　IexpectedMissMattytojumpatthisinvitation；but，no！MissPoleandIhadthegreatestdifficultyinpersuadinghertogo。
　　Shethoughtitwasimproper；andwasevenhalfannoyedwhenweutterlyignoredtheideaofanyimproprietyinhergoingwithtwootherladiestoseeheroldlover。Thencameamoreseriousdifficulty。ShedidnotthinkDeborahwouldhavelikedhertogo。
　　Thistookushalfaday’sgoodhardtalkingtogetover；but，atthefirstsentenceofrelenting，Iseizedtheopportunity，andwroteanddespatchedanacceptanceinhername—fixingdayandhour，thatallmightbedecidedanddonewith。
　　ThenextmorningsheaskedmeifIwouldgodowntotheshopwithher；andthere，aftermuchhesitation，wechoseoutthreecapstobesenthomeandtriedon，thatthemostbecomingmightbeselectedtotakewithusonThursday。
　　ShewasinastateofsilentagitationallthewaytoWoodley。Shehadevidentlyneverbeentherebefore；and，althoughshelittledreamtIknewanythingofherearlystory，Icouldperceiveshewasinatremoratthethoughtofseeingtheplacewhichmighthavebeenherhome，androundwhichitisprobablethatmanyofherinnocentgirlishimaginationshadclustered。Itwasalongdrivethere，throughpavedjoltinglanes。MissMatildasatboltupright，andlookedwistfullyoutofthewindowsaswedrewneartheendofourjourney。Theaspectofthecountrywasquietandpastoral。
　　Woodleystoodamongfields；andtherewasanold—fashionedgardenwhererosesandcurrant—bushestouchedeachother，andwherethefeatheryasparagusformedaprettybackgroundtothepinksandgilly—flowers；therewasnodriveuptothedoor。Wegotoutatalittlegate，andwalkedupastraightbox—edgedpath。
　　"Mycousinmightmakeadrive，Ithink，"saidMissPole，whowasafraidofear—ache，andhadonlyhercapon。
　　"Ithinkitisverypretty，"saidMissMatty，withasoftplaintivenessinhervoice，andalmostinawhisper，forjustthenMrHolbrookappearedatthedoor，rubbinghishandsinveryeffervescenceofhospitality。HelookedmorelikemyideaofDonQuixotethanever，andyetthelikenesswasonlyexternal。Hisrespectablehousekeeperstoodmodestlyatthedoortobiduswelcome；and，whilesheledtheelderladiesupstairstoabedroom，Ibeggedtolookaboutthegarden。Myrequestevidentlypleasedtheoldgentleman，whotookmeallroundtheplaceandshowedmehissix—and—twentycows，namedafterthedifferentlettersofthealphabet。Aswewentalong，hesurprisedmeoccasionallybyrepeatingaptandbeautifulquotationsfromthepoets，rangingeasilyfromShakespeareandGeorgeHerberttothoseofourownday。
　　Hedidthisasnaturallyasifhewerethinkingaloud，andtheirtrueandbeautifulwordswerethebestexpressionhecouldfindforwhathewasthinkingorfeeling。TobesurehecalledByron"myLordByrron，"andpronouncedthenameofGoethestrictlyinaccordancewiththeEnglishsoundoftheletters—"AsGoethesays，’Yeever—verdantpalaces，’"&c。Altogether，Inevermetwithaman，beforeorsince，whohadspentsolongalifeinasecludedandnotimpressivecountry，withever—increasingdelightinthedailyandyearlychangeofseasonandbeauty。
　　WhenheandIwentin，wefoundthatdinnerwasnearlyreadyinthekitchen—forsoIsupposetheroomoughttobecalled，astherewereoakdressersandcupboardsallround，alloverbythesideofthefireplace，andonlyasmallTurkeycarpetinthemiddleoftheflag—floor。Theroommighthavebeeneasilymadeintoahandsomedarkoakdining—parlourbyremovingtheovenandafewotherappurtenancesofakitchen，whichwereevidentlyneverused，therealcooking—placebeingatsomedistance。Theroominwhichwewereexpectedtositwasastiffly—furnished，uglyapartment；butthatinwhichwedidsitwaswhatMrHolbrookcalledthecounting—
　　house，wherehepaidhislabourerstheirweeklywagesatagreatdesknearthedoor。Therestoftheprettysitting—room—lookingintotheorchard，andallcoveredoverwithdancingtree—shadows—
　　wasfilledwithbooks。Theylayontheground，theycoveredthewalls，theystrewedthetable。Hewasevidentlyhalfashamedandhalfproudofhisextravaganceinthisrespect。Theywereofallkinds—poetryandwildweirdtalesprevailing。Heevidentlychosehisbooksinaccordancewithhisowntastes，notbecausesuchandsuchwereclassicalorestablishedfavourites。
　　"Ah！"hesaid，"wefarmersoughtnottohavemuchtimeforreading；
　　yetsomehowonecan’thelpit。"
　　"Whataprettyroom！"saidMissMatty，SOTTOVOCE。
　　"Whatapleasantplace！"saidI，aloud，almostsimultaneously。
　　"Nay！ifyoulikeit，"repliedhe；"butcanyousitonthesegreat，blackleather，three—corneredchairs？Ilikeitbetterthanthebestparlour；butIthoughtladieswouldtakethatforthesmarterplace。"
　　Itwasthesmarterplace，but，likemostsmartthings，notatallpretty，orpleasant，orhome—like；so，whilewewereatdinner，theservant—girldustedandscrubbedthecounting—housechairs，andwesattherealltherestoftheday。
　　Wehadpuddingbeforemeat；andIthoughtMrHolbrookwasgoingtomakesomeapologyforhisold—fashionedways，forhebegan—
　　"Idon’tknowwhetheryoulikenewfangledways。"
　　"Oh，notatall！"saidMissMatty。
　　"NomoredoI，"saidhe。"Myhouse—keeperWILLhavetheseinhernewfashion；orelseItellherthat，whenIwasayoungman，weusedtokeepstrictlytomyfather’srule，’Nobroth，noball；noball，nobeef’；andalwaysbegandinnerwithbroth。Thenwehadsuetpuddings，boiledinthebrothwiththebeef：andthenthemeatitself。Ifwedidnotsupourbroth，wehadnoball，whichwelikedadealbetter；andthebeefcamelastofall，andonlythosehaditwhohaddonejusticetothebrothandtheball。Nowfolksbeginwithsweetthings，andturntheirdinnerstopsy—turvy。"
　　Whentheducksandgreenpeascame，welookedateachotherindismay；wehadonlytwo—pronged，black—handledforks。Itistruethesteelwasasbrightassilver；butwhatwerewetodo？MissMattypickedupherpeas，onebyone，onthepointoftheprongs，muchasAmineatehergrainsofriceafterherpreviousfeastwiththeGhoul。MissPolesighedoverherdelicateyoungpeasassheleftthemononesideofherplateuntasted，fortheyWOULDdropbetweentheprongs。Ilookedatmyhost：thepeasweregoingwholesaleintohiscapaciousmouth，shovelledupbyhislargeround—endedknife。Isaw，Iimitated，Isurvived！Myfriends，inspiteofmyprecedent，couldnotmusterupcourageenoughtodoanungenteelthing；and，ifMrHolbrookhadnotbeensoheartilyhungry，hewouldprobablyhaveseenthatthegoodpeaswentawayalmostuntouched。
　　Afterdinner，aclaypipewasbroughtin，andaspittoon；and，askingustoretiretoanotherroom，wherehewouldsoonjoinus，ifwedislikedtobacco—smoke，hepresentedhispipetoMissMatty，andrequestedhertofillthebowl。Thiswasacomplimenttoaladyinhisyouth；butitwasratherinappropriatetoproposeitasanhonourtoMissMatty，whohadbeentrainedbyhersistertoholdsmokingofeverykindinutterabhorrence。Butifitwasashocktoherrefinement，itwasalsoagratificationtoherfeelingstobethusselected；soshedaintilystuffedthestrongtobaccointothepipe，andthenwewithdrew。
　　"Itisverypleasantdiningwithabachelor，"saidMissMattysoftly，aswesettledourselvesinthecounting—house。"Ionlyhopeitisnotimproper；somanypleasantthingsare！"
　　"Whatanumberofbookshehas！"saidMissPole，lookingroundtheroom。"Andhowdustytheyare！"
　　"IthinkitmustbelikeoneofthegreatDrJohnson’srooms，"saidMissMatty。"Whatasuperiormanyourcousinmustbe！"
　　"Yes！"saidMissPole，"he’sagreatreader；butIamafraidhehasgotintoveryuncouthhabitswithlivingalone。"
　　"Oh！uncouthistoohardaword。Ishouldcallhimeccentric；verycleverpeoplealwaysare！"repliedMissMatty。
　　WhenMrHolbrookreturned，heproposedawalkinthefields；butthetwoelderladieswereafraidofdamp，anddirt，andhadonlyveryunbecomingcalashestoputonovertheircaps；sotheydeclined，andIwasagainhiscompanioninaturnwhichhesaidhewasobligedtotaketoseeafterhismen。Hestrodealong，eitherwhollyforgettingmyexistence，orsoothedintosilencebyhispipe—andyetitwasnotsilenceexactly。Hewalkedbeforemewithastoopinggait，hishandsclaspedbehindhim；and，assometreeorcloud，orglimpseofdistantuplandpastures，struckhim，hequotedpoetrytohimself，sayingitoutloudinagrandsonorousvoice，withjusttheemphasisthattruefeelingandappreciationgive。Wecameuponanoldcedartree，whichstoodatoneendofthehouse—
　　"Thecedarspreadshisdark—greenlayersofshade。"
　　"Capitalterm—’layers！’Wonderfulman！"Ididnotknowwhetherhewasspeakingtomeornot；butIputinanassenting"wonderful，"althoughIknewnothingaboutit，justbecauseIwastiredofbeingforgotten，andofbeingconsequentlysilent。
　　Heturnedsharpround。"Ay！youmaysay’wonderful。’Why，whenI
　　sawthereviewofhispoemsinBLACKWOOD，Isetoffwithinanhour，andwalkedsevenmilestoMisselton（forthehorseswerenotintheway）andorderedthem。Now，whatcolourareash—budsinMarch？"
　　Isthemangoingmad？thoughtI。HeisverylikeDonQuixote。
　　"Whatcolourarethey，Isay？"repeatedhevehemently。
　　"IamsureIdon’tknow，sir，"saidI，withthemeeknessofignorance。
　　"Iknewyoudidn’t。NomoredidI—anoldfoolthatIam！—tillthisyoungmancomesandtellsme。Blackasash—budsinMarch。
　　AndI’velivedallmylifeinthecountry；moreshameformenottoknow。Black：theyarejet—black，madam。"Andhewentoffagain，swingingalongtothemusicofsomerhymehehadgotholdof。
　　Whenwecameback，nothingwouldservehimbuthemustreadusthepoemshehadbeenspeakingof；andMissPoleencouragedhiminhisproposal，Ithought，becauseshewishedmetohearhisbeautifulreading，ofwhichshehadboasted；butsheafterwardssaiditwasbecauseshehadgottoadifficultpartofhercrochet，andwantedtocountherstitcheswithouthavingtotalk。WhateverhehadproposedwouldhavebeenrighttoMissMatty；althoughshedidfallsoundasleepwithinfiveminutesafterhehadbegunalongpoem，called"LocksleyHall，"andhadacomfortablenap，unobserved，tillheended；whenthecessationofhisvoicewakenedherup，andshesaid，feelingthatsomethingwasexpected，andthatMissPolewascounting—
　　"Whataprettybook！"
　　"Pretty，madam！it’sbeautiful！Pretty，indeed！"
　　"Ohyes！Imeantbeautiful"saidshe，flutteredathisdisapprovalofherword。"ItissolikethatbeautifulpoemofDrJohnson’smysisterusedtoread—Iforgetthenameofit；whatwasit，mydear？"turningtome。
　　"Whichdoyoumean，ma’am？Whatwasitabout？"
　　"Idon’trememberwhatitwasabout，andI’vequiteforgottenwhatthenameofitwas；butitwaswrittenbyDrJohnson，andwasverybeautiful，andverylikewhatMrHolbrookhasjustbeenreading。"
　　"Idon’trememberit，"saidhereflectively。"ButIdon’tknowDrJohnson’spoemswell。Imustreadthem。"
　　Asweweregettingintotheflytoreturn，IheardMrHolbrooksayheshouldcallontheladiessoon，andinquirehowtheygothome；
　　andthisevidentlypleasedandflutteredMissMattyatthetimehesaidit；butafterwehadlostsightoftheoldhouseamongthetreeshersentimentstowardsthemasterofitweregraduallyabsorbedintoadistressingwonderastowhetherMarthahadbrokenherword，andseizedontheopportunityofhermistress’sabsencetohavea"follower。"Marthalookedgood，andsteady，andcomposedenough，asshecametohelpusout；shewasalwayscarefulofMissMatty，andto—nightshemadeuseofthisunluckyspeech—
　　"Eh！dearma’am，tothinkofyourgoingoutinaneveninginsuchathinshawl！It’snobetterthanmuslin。Atyourage，ma’am，youshouldbecareful。"
　　"Myage！"saidMissMatty，almostspeakingcrossly，forher，forshewasusuallygentle—"Myage！Why，howolddoyouthinkIam，thatyoutalkaboutmyage？"
　　"Well，ma’am，Ishouldsayyouwerenotfarshortofsixty：butfolks’looksisoftenagainstthem—andI’msureImeantnoharm。"
　　"Martha，I’mnotyetfifty—two！"saidMissMatty，withgraveemphasis；forprobablytheremembranceofheryouthhadcomeveryvividlybeforeherthisday，andshewasannoyedatfindingthatgoldentimesofarawayinthepast。
　　ButsheneverspokeofanyformerandmoreintimateacquaintancewithMrHolbrook。Shehadprobablymetwithsolittlesympathyinherearlylove，thatshehadshutitupcloseinherheart；anditwasonlybyasortofwatching，whichIcouldhardlyavoidsinceMissPole’sconfidence，thatIsawhowfaithfulherpoorhearthadbeeninitssorrowanditssilence。
　　Shegavemesomegoodreasonforwearingherbestcapeveryday，andsatnearthewindow，inspiteofherrheumatism，inordertosee，withoutbeingseen，downintothestreet。
　　Hecame。Heputhisopenpalmsuponhisknees，whichwerefarapart，ashesatwithhisheadbentdown，whistling，afterwehadrepliedtohisinquiriesaboutoursafereturn。Suddenlyhejumpedup—
　　"Well，madam！haveyouanycommandsforParis？Iamgoingthereinaweekortwo。"
　　"ToParis！"webothexclaimed。
　　"Yes，madam！I’veneverbeenthere，andalwayshadawishtogo；
　　andIthinkifIdon’tgosoon，Imayn’tgoatall；soassoonasthehayisgotinIshallgo，beforeharvesttime。"
　　Weweresomuchastonishedthatwehadnocommissions。
　　Justashewasgoingoutoftheroom，heturnedback，withhisfavouriteexclamation—
　　"Godblessmysoul，madam！butInearlyforgothalfmyerrand。
　　Herearethepoemsforyouyouadmiredsomuchtheothereveningatmyhouse。"Hetuggedawayataparcelinhiscoat—pocket。"Good—
　　bye，miss，"saidhe；"good—bye，Matty！takecareofyourself。"Andhewasgone。
　　Buthehadgivenherabook，andhehadcalledherMatty，justasheusedtodothirtyyearsto。
　　"IwishhewouldnotgotoParis，"saidMissMatildaanxiously。"I
　　don’tbelievefrogswillagreewithhim；heusedtohavetobeverycarefulwhatheate，whichwascuriousinsostrong—lookingayoungman。"
　　SoonafterthisItookmyleave，givingmanyaninjunctiontoMarthatolookafterhermistress，andtoletmeknowifshethoughtthatMissMatildawasnotsowell；inwhichcaseIwouldvolunteeravisittomyoldfriend，withoutnoticingMartha’sintelligencetoher。
　　AccordinglyIreceivedalineortwofromMarthaeverynowandthen；and，aboutNovemberIhadanotetosayhermistresswas"verylowandsadlyoffherfood"；andtheaccountmademesouneasythat，althoughMarthadidnotdecidedlysummonme，Ipackedupmythingsandwent。
　　Ireceivedawarmwelcome，inspiteofthelittleflurryproducedbymyimpromptuvisit，forIhadonlybeenabletogiveaday’snotice。MissMatildalookedmiserablyill；andIpreparedtocomfortandcossether。
　　IwentdowntohaveaprivatetalkwithMartha。
　　"Howlonghasyourmistressbeensopoorly？"Iasked，asIstoodbythekitchenfire。
　　"Well！Ithinkitsbetterthanafortnight；itis，Iknow；itwasoneTuesday，afterMissPolehadbeen，thatshewentintothismopingway。Ithoughtshewastired，anditwouldgooffwithanight’srest；butno！shehasgoneonandoneversince，tillI
　　thoughtitmydutytowritetoyou，ma’am。"
　　"Youdidquiteright，Martha。Itisacomforttothinkshehassofaithfulaservantabouther。AndIhopeyoufindyourplacecomfortable？"
　　"Well，ma’am，missusisverykind，andthere’splentytoeatanddrink，andnomoreworkbutwhatIcandoeasily—but—"Marthahesitated。
　　"Butwhat，Martha？"
　　"Why，itseemssohardofmissusnottoletmehaveanyfollowers；
　　there’ssuchlotsofyoungfellowsinthetown；andmanyaonehasasmuchasofferedtokeepcompanywithme；andImayneverbeinsuchalikelyplaceagain，andit’slikewastinganopportunity。
　　ManyagirlasIknowwouldhave’emunbeknownsttomissus；butI’vegivenmyword，andI’llsticktoit；orelsethisisjustthehouseformissusnevertobethewiseriftheydidcome：andit’ssuchacapablekitchen—there’ssuchdarkcornersinit—I’dbeboundtohideanyone。IcounteduplastSundaynight—forI’llnotdenyIwascryingbecauseIhadtoshutthedoorinJemHearn’sface，andhe’sasteadyyoungman，fitforanygirl；onlyIhadgivenmissusmyword。"Marthawasallbutcryingagain；andIhadlittlecomforttogiveher，forIknew，fromoldexperience，ofthehorrorwithwhichboththeMissJenkynseslookedupon"followers"；
　　andinMissMatty’spresentnervousstatethisdreadwasnotlikelytobelessened。
　　IwenttoseeMissPolethenextday，andtookhercompletelybysurprise，forshehadnotbeentoseeMissMatildafortwodays。
　　"AndnowImustgobackwithyou，mydear，forIpromisedtoletherknowhowThomasHolbrookwenton；and，I’msorrytosay，hishousekeeperhassentmewordto—daythathehasn’tlongtolive。
　　PoorThomas！thatjourneytoPariswasquitetoomuchforhim。Hishousekeepersayshehashardlyeverbeenroundhisfieldssince，butjustsitswithhishandsonhiskneesinthecounting—house，notreadingoranything，butonlysayingwhatawonderfulcityPariswas！Parishasmuchtoanswerforifit’skilledmycousinThomas，forabettermanneverlived。"
　　"DoesMissMatildaknowofhisillness？"askedI—anewlightastothecauseofherindispositiondawninguponme。
　　"Dear！tobesure，yes！Hasnotshetoldyou？Iletherknowafortnightago，ormore，whenfirstIheardofit。Howoddsheshouldn’thavetoldyou！"
　　Notatall，Ithought；butIdidnotsayanything。Ifeltalmostguiltyofhavingspiedtoocuriouslyintothattenderheart，andI
　　wasnotgoingtospeakofitssecrets—hidden，MissMattybelieved，fromalltheworld。IusheredMissPoleintoMissMatilda’slittledrawing—room，andthenleftthemalone。ButIwasnotsurprisedwhenMarthacametomybedroomdoor，toaskmetogodowntodinneralone，forthatmissushadoneofherbadheadaches。
　　Shecameintothedrawing—roomattea—time，butitwasevidentlyanefforttoher；and，asiftomakeupforsomereproachfulfeelingagainstherlatesister，MissJenkyns，whichhadbeentroublingheralltheafternoon，andforwhichshenowfeltpenitent，shekepttellingmehowgoodandhowcleverDeborahwasinheryouth；howsheusedtosettlewhatgownstheyweretowearatalltheparties（faint，ghostlyideasofgrimparties，farawayinthedistance，whenMissMattyandMissPolewereyoung！）；andhowDeborahandhermotherhadstartedthebenefitsocietyforthepoor，andtaughtgirlscookingandplainsewing；andhowDeborahhadoncedancedwithalord；andhowsheusedtovisitatSirPeterArley’s，andtriedtoremodelthequietrectoryestablishmentontheplansofArleyHall，wheretheykeptthirtyservants；andhowshehadnursedMissMattythroughalong，longillness，ofwhichIhadneverheardbefore，butwhichInowdatedinmyownmindasfollowingthedismissalofthesuitofMrHolbrook。SowetalkedsoftlyandquietlyofoldtimesthroughthelongNovemberevening。
　　ThenextdayMissPolebroughtuswordthatMrHolbrookwasdead。
　　MissMattyheardthenewsinsilence；infact，fromtheaccountofthepreviousday，itwasonlywhatwehadtoexpect。MissPolekeptcallinguponusforsomeexpressionofregret，byaskingifitwasnotsadthathewasgone，andsaying—
　　"TothinkofthatpleasantdaylastJune，whenheseemedsowell！
　　AndhemighthavelivedthisdozenyearsifhehadnotgonetothatwickedParis，wheretheyarealwayshavingrevolutions。"
　　Shepausedforsomedemonstrationonourpart。IsawMissMattycouldnotspeak，shewastremblingsonervously；soIsaidwhatI
　　reallyfelt；andafteracallofsomeduration—allthetimeofwhichIhavenodoubtMissPolethoughtMissMattyreceivedthenewsverycalmly—ourvisitortookherleave。
　　MissMattymadeastrongefforttoconcealherfeelings—aconcealmentshepractisedevenwithme，forshehasneveralludedtoMrHolbrookagain，althoughthebookhegaveherlieswithherBibleonthelittletablebyherbedside。ShedidnotthinkI
　　heardherwhensheaskedthelittlemillinerofCranfordtomakehercapssomethingliketheHonourableMrsJamieson’s，orthatI
　　noticedthereply—
　　"Butshewearswidows’caps，ma’am？"
　　"Oh！Ionlymeantsomethinginthatstyle；notwidows’，ofcourse，butratherlikeMrsJamieson’s。"
　　ThiseffortatconcealmentwasthebeginningofthetremulousmotionofheadandhandswhichIhaveseeneversinceinMissMatty。
　　TheeveningofthedayonwhichweheardofMrHolbrook’sdeath，MissMatildawasverysilentandthoughtful；afterprayersshecalledMarthabackandthenshestooduncertainwhattosay。
　　"Martha！"shesaid，atlast，"youareyoung"—andthenshemadesolongapausethatMartha，toremindherofherhalf—finishedsentence，droppedacurtsey，andsaid—
　　"Yes，please，ma’am；two—and—twentylastthirdofOctober，please，ma’am。"
　　"And，perhaps，Martha，youmaysometimemeetwithayoungmanyoulike，andwholikesyou。Ididsayyouwerenottohavefollowers；
　　butifyoumeetwithsuchayoungman，andtellme，andIfindheisrespectable，Ihavenoobjectiontohiscomingtoseeyouonceaweek。Godforbid！"saidsheinalowvoice，"thatIshouldgrieveanyyounghearts。"Shespokeasifshewereprovidingforsomedistantcontingency，andwasratherstartledwhenMarthamadeherreadyeageranswer—
　　"Please，ma’am，there’sJemHearn，andhe’sajoinermakingthree—
　　and—sixpencea—day，andsixfootoneinhisstocking—feet，please，ma’am；andifyou’llaskabouthimto—morrowmorning，everyonewillgivehimacharacterforsteadiness；andhe’llbegladenoughtocometo—morrownight，I’llbebound。"
　　ThoughMissMattywasstartled，shesubmittedtoFateandLove。
　　CHAPTERV—OLDLETTERS
　　IHAVEoftennoticedthatalmosteveryonehashisownindividualsmalleconomies—carefulhabitsofsavingfractionsofpenniesinsomeonepeculiardirection—anydisturbanceofwhichannoyshimmorethanspendingshillingsorpoundsonsomerealextravagance。
　　Anoldgentlemanofmyacquaintance，whotooktheintelligenceofthefailureofaJoint—StockBank，inwhichsomeofhismoneywasinvested，withstoicalmildness，worriedhisfamilyallthroughalongsummer’sdaybecauseoneofthemhadtorn（insteadofcutting）
　　outthewrittenleavesofhisnowuselessbank—book；ofcourse，thecorrespondingpagesattheotherendcameoutaswell，andthislittleunnecessarywasteofpaper（hisprivateeconomy）chafedhimmorethanallthelossofhismoney。Envelopesfrettedhissoulterriblywhentheyfirstcamein；theonlywayinwhichhecouldreconcilehimselftosuchwasteofhischerishedarticlewasbypatientlyturninginsideoutallthatweresenttohim，andsomakingthemserveagain。Evennow，thoughtamedbyage，Iseehimcastingwistfulglancesathisdaughterswhentheysendawholeinsideofahalf—sheetofnotepaper，withthethreelinesofacceptancetoaninvitation，writtenononlyoneofthesides。I
　　amnotaboveowningthatIhavethishumanweaknessmyself。Stringismyfoible。Mypocketsgetfulloflittlehanksofit，pickedupandtwistedtogether，readyforusesthatnevercome。Iamseriouslyannoyedifanyonecutsthestringofaparcelinsteadofpatientlyandfaithfullyundoingitfoldbyfold。Howpeoplecanbringthemselvestouseindia—rubberrings，whichareasortofdeificationofstring，aslightlyastheydo，Icannotimagine。Tomeanindia—rubberringisaprecioustreasure。Ihaveonewhichisnotnew—onethatIpickedupoffthefloornearlysixyearsago。Ihavereallytriedtouseit，butmyheartfailedme，andI
　　couldnotcommittheextravagance。
　　Smallpiecesofbuttergrieveothers。Theycannotattendtoconversationbecauseoftheannoyanceoccasionedbythehabitwhichsomepeoplehaveofinvariablytakingmorebutterthantheywant。
　　Haveyounotseentheanxiouslook（almostmesmeric）whichsuchpersonsfixonthearticle？Theywouldfeelitareliefiftheymightburyitoutoftheirsightbypoppingitintotheirownmouthsandswallowingitdown；andtheyarereallymadehappyifthepersononwhoseplateitliesunusedsuddenlybreaksoffapieceoftoast（whichhedoesnotwantatall）andeatsuphisbutter。Theythinkthatthisisnotwaste。
　　NowMissMattyJenkynswascharyofcandles。Wehadmanydevicestouseasfewaspossible。Inthewinterafternoonsshewouldsitknittingfortwoorthreehours—shecoulddothisinthedark，orbyfirelight—andwhenIaskedifImightnotringforcandlestofinishstitchingmywristbands，shetoldmeto"keepblindman’sholiday。"Theywereusuallybroughtinwithtea；butweonlyburntoneatatime。Aswelivedinconstantpreparationforafriendwhomightcomeinanyevening（butwhoneverdid），itrequiredsomecontrivancetokeepourtwocandlesofthesamelength，readytobelighted，andtolookasifweburnttwoalways。Thecandlestookitinturns；and，whateverwemightbetalkingaboutordoing，MissMatty’seyeswerehabituallyfixeduponthecandle，readytojumpupandextinguishitandtolighttheotherbeforetheyhadbecometoouneveninlengthtoberestoredtoequalityinthecourseoftheevening。
　　Onenight，Irememberthiscandleeconomyparticularlyannoyedme。
　　Ihadbeenverymuchtiredofmycompulsory"blindman’sholiday，"
　　especiallyasMissMattyhadfallenasleep，andIdidnotliketostirthefireandruntheriskofawakeningher；soIcouldnotevensitontherug，andscorchmyselfwithsewingbyfirelight，accordingtomyusualcustom。IfanciedMissMattymustbedreamingofherearlylife；forshespokeoneortwowordsinheruneasysleepbearingreferencetopersonswhoweredeadlongbefore。WhenMarthabroughtinthelightedcandleandtea，MissMattystartedintowakefulness，withastrange，bewilderedlookaround，asifwewerenotthepeoplesheexpectedtoseeabouther。
　　Therewasalittlesadexpressionthatshadowedherfaceassherecognisedme；butimmediatelyafterwardsshetriedtogivemeherusualsmile。Allthroughtea—timehertalkranuponthedaysofherchildhoodandyouth。Perhapsthisremindedherofthedesirablenessoflookingoveralltheoldfamilyletters，anddestroyingsuchasoughtnottobeallowedtofallintothehandsofstrangers；forshehadoftenspokenofthenecessityofthistask，buthadalwaysshrunkfromit，withatimiddreadofsomethingpainful。To—night，however，sheroseupafterteaandwentforthem—inthedark；forshepiquedherselfonthepreciseneatnessofallherchamberarrangements，andusedtolookuneasilyatmewhenIlightedabed—candletogotoanotherroomforanything。Whenshereturnedtherewasafaint，pleasantsmellofTonquinbeansintheroom。Ihadalwaysnoticedthisscentaboutanyofthethingswhichhadbelongedtohermother；andmanyoftheletterswereaddressedtoher—yellowbundlesoflove—letters，sixtyorseventyyearsold。
　　MissMattyundidthepacketwithasigh；butshestifleditdirectly，asifitwerehardlyrighttoregrettheflightoftime，oroflifeeither。Weagreedtolookthemoverseparately，eachtakingadifferentletteroutofthesamebundleanddescribingitscontentstotheotherbeforedestroyingit。Ineverknewwhatsadworkthereadingofold—letterswasbeforethatevening，thoughI
　　couldhardlytellwhy。Theletterswereashappyasletterscouldbe—atleastthoseearlyletterswere。Therewasinthemavividandintensesenseofthepresenttime，whichseemedsostrongandfull，asifitcouldneverpassaway，andasifthewarm，livingheartsthatsoexpressedthemselvescouldneverdie，andbeasnothingtothesunnyearth。Ishouldhavefeltlessmelancholy，I
　　believe，ifthelettershadbeenmoreso。Isawthetearsstealingdownthewell—wornfurrowsofMissMatty’scheeks，andherspectaclesoftenwantedwiping。Itrustedatlastthatshewouldlighttheothercandle，formyowneyeswereratherdim，andI
　　wantedmorelighttoseethepale，fadedink；butno，eventhroughhertears，shesawandrememberedherlittleeconomicalways。
　　Theearliestsetoflettersweretwobundlestiedtogether，andticketed（inMissJenkyns’shandwriting）"Lettersinterchangedbetweenmyever—honouredfatherandmydearly—belovedmother，priortotheirmarriage，inJuly1774。"IshouldguessthattherectorofCranfordwasabouttwenty—sevenyearsofagewhenhewrotethoseletters；andMissMattytoldmethathermotherwasjusteighteenatthetimeofherwedding。Withmyideaoftherectorderivedfromapictureinthedining—parlour，stiffandstately，inahugefull—bottomedwig，withgown，cassock，andbands，andhishanduponacopyoftheonlysermonheeverpublished—itwasstrangetoreadtheseletters。Theywerefullofeager，passionateardour；
　　shorthomelysentences，rightfreshfromtheheart（verydifferentfromthegrandLatinised，Johnsonianstyleoftheprintedsermonpreachedbeforesomejudgeatassizetime）。Hisletterswereacuriouscontrasttothoseofhisgirl—bride。Shewasevidentlyratherannoyedathisdemandsuponherforexpressionsoflove，andcouldnotquiteunderstandwhathemeantbyrepeatingthesamethingoverinsomanydifferentways；butwhatshewasquiteclearaboutwasalongingforawhite"Paduasoy"—whateverthatmightbe；andsixorsevenletterswereprincipallyoccupiedinaskingherlovertousehisinfluencewithherparents（whoevidentlykeptheringoodorder）toobtainthisorthatarticleofdress，moreespeciallythewhite"Paduasoy。"Hecarednothinghowshewasdressed；shewasalwayslovelyenoughforhim，ashetookpainstoassureher，whenshebeggedhimtoexpressinhisanswersapredilectionforparticularpiecesoffinery，inorderthatshemightshowwhathesaidtoherparents。Butatlengthheseemedtofindoutthatshewouldnotbemarriedtillshehada"trousseau"
　　tohermind；andthenhesentheraletter，whichhadevidentlyaccompaniedawholeboxfulloffinery，andinwhichherequestedthatshemightbedressedineverythingherheartdesired。Thiswasthefirstletter，ticketedinafrail，delicatehand，"FrommydearestJohn。"Shortlyafterwardstheyweremarried，Isuppose，fromtheintermissionintheircorrespondence。
　　"Wemustburnthem，Ithink，"saidMissMatty，lookingdoubtfullyatme。"NoonewillcareforthemwhenIamgone。"Andonebyoneshedroppedthemintothemiddleofthefire，watchingeachblazeup，dieout，andriseaway，infaint，white，ghostlysemblance，upthechimney，beforeshegaveanothertothesamefate。Theroomwaslightenoughnow；butI，likeher，wasfascinatedintowatchingthedestructionofthoseletters，intowhichthehonestwarmthofamanlyhearthadbeenpouredforth。
　　Thenextletter，likewisedocketedbyMissJenkyns，wasendorsed，"Letterofpiouscongratulationandexhortationfrommyvenerablegrandfathertomybelovedmother，onoccasionofmyownbirth。
　　Alsosomepracticalremarksonthedesirabilityofkeepingwarmtheextremitiesofinfants，frommyexcellentgrandmother。"
　　Thefirstpartwas，indeed，asevereandforciblepictureoftheresponsibilitiesofmothers，andawarningagainsttheevilsthatwereintheworld，andlyinginghastlywaitforthelittlebabyoftwodaysold。Hiswifedidnotwrite，saidtheoldgentleman，becausehehadforbiddenit，shebeingindisposedwithasprainedankle，which（hesaid）quiteincapacitatedherfromholdingapen。
　　However，atthefootofthepagewasasmall"T。O。，"andonturningitover，sureenough，therewasaletterto"mydear，dearestMolly，"beggingher，whensheleftherroom，whatevershedid，togoUPstairsbeforegoingDOWN：andtellinghertowrapherbaby’sfeetupinflannel，andkeepitwarmbythefire，althoughitwassummer，forbabiesweresotender。
　　Itwasprettytoseefromtheletters，whichwereevidentlyexchangedwithsomefrequencybetweentheyoungmotherandthegrandmother，howthegirlishvanitywasbeingweededoutofherheartbyloveforherbaby。Thewhite"Paduasoy"figuredagainintheletters，withalmostasmuchvigourasbefore。Inone，itwasbeingmadeintoachristeningcloakforthebaby。ItdeckeditwhenitwentwithitsparentstospendadayortwoatArleyHall。
　　Itaddedtoitscharms，whenitwas"theprettiestlittlebabythateverwasseen。Dearmother，Iwishyoucouldseeher！Withoutanypershality，Idothinkshewillgrowuparegularbewty！"I
　　thoughtofMissJenkyns，grey，withered，andwrinkled，andI
　　wonderedifhermotherhadknownherinthecourtsofheaven：andthenIknewthatshehad，andthattheystoodthereinangelicguise。
　　Therewasagreatgapbeforeanyoftherector’slettersappeared。
　　Andthenhiswifehadchangedhermodeofherendorsement。Itwasnolongerfrom，"MydearestJohn；"itwasfrom"MyHonouredHusband。"Theletterswerewrittenonoccasionofthepublicationofthesamesermonwhichwasrepresentedinthepicture。Thepreachingbefore"MyLordJudge，"andthe"publishingbyrequest，"
　　wasevidentlytheculminatingpoint—theeventofhislife。IthadbeennecessaryforhimtogouptoLondontosuperintenditthroughthepress。Manyfriendshadtobecalleduponandconsultedbeforehecoulddecideonanyprinterfitforsoonerousatask；andatlengthitwasarrangedthatJ。andJ。Rivingtonsweretohavethehonourableresponsibility。Theworthyrectorseemedtobestrungupbytheoccasiontoahighliterarypitch，forhecouldhardlywritealettertohiswifewithoutcroppingoutintoLatin。Iremembertheendofoneofhislettersranthus："I
　　shalleverholdthevirtuousqualitiesofmyMollyinremembrance，DUMMEMORIPSEMEI，DUMSPIRITUSREGITARTUS，"which，consideringthattheEnglishofhiscorrespondentwassometimesatfaultingrammar，andofteninspelling，mightbetakenasaproofofhowmuchhe"idealisedhisMolly；"and，asMissJenkynsusedtosay，"Peopletalkagreatdealaboutidealisingnow—a—days，whateverthatmaymean。"Butthiswasnothingtoafitofwritingclassicalpoetrywhichsoonseizedhim，inwhichhisMollyfiguredawayas"Maria。"ThelettercontainingtheCARMENwasendorsedbyher，"Hebrewversessentmebymyhonouredhusband。Ithowttohavehadaletteraboutkillingthepig，butmustwait。Mem。，tosendthepoetrytoSirPeterArley，asmyhusbanddesires。"Andinapost—
　　scriptumnoteinhishandwritingitwasstatedthattheOdehadappearedintheGENTLEMAN’SMAGAZINE，December1782。
　　Herlettersbacktoherhusband（treasuredasfondlybyhimasiftheyhadbeenM。T。CICERONISEPISTOLAE）weremoresatisfactorytoanabsenthusbandandfatherthanhiscouldeverhavebeentoher。