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。
