Mrs.Gatty'sFever having now turned, 'tis incredible the Gratitude she expressed to me for all my Care of her during the course of it. I may say that during the whole Term, the only Concern LadyBettyshewed whether she were likely to sink or swim, was conveyed in a single Message, and that of the briefest; to know, was she about yet? a likely Thing, when the Girl was at that Moment in a Fever-Lethargy!Gattytook it mighty little to Heart, I must say for her, when she learned how little Recollection of her had been intimated; and she said, with aSmile, she was ready to wish they should forget her altogether, so content was she to remain, and so loth to go back.
And now her Appetite mended apace, and she began to regain Colour and Flesh, and the Chamber was fumigated, and she had a warm Bath, and Dr.Elwespronounced that she might go below with Safety to herself and others. We resolved to make a little Festival of it, and asked him to sup with us, which he cheerfully consented to; and I had Pleasure in combing outGatty'slong fine Hair, which she was yet unequal to doing herself, and arranging her Dress with some Air of Smartness.
After this, she reclined in the Arm-Chair by the Window, to repose herself a little before she went down Stairs. Meanwhile, I tended a Rose that grew in a Pot that stood in the Window-Sill, and had just finished watering it, when, as Ill-Luck would have it, the Water, filtering too quickly through the Pot, descended copiously onsome one who had got his Head out of the Window beneath.
"Hallo! Who's that, giving me a Shower-Bath?" cries Mr.Fenwick; at the first Sound of whose Voice I drew my Head in quickly, and we both fell a laughing.
"Don't let us answer," saysGatty.
"Let us both put our Heads out at the same Moment," said I, "and then he won't know which it was."
It was a pert Thing to do, but we were just then in cheerful Spirits; so we looked out, without looking down, quite unconcernedly.
"I am glad to see you so much better, Mrs.Gatty," said Mr.Fenwick; "poor Mrs.Patty, though, looks all the worse for her shutting up. You remind me of the two Damsels inDon Quixote, looking through the Inn-Casement, and plotting Mischief."
"Oh no, Sir," saysGatty, so softly that I only heard her, and immediatelywithdrawing and sitting down. I did the same, actuated by that nameless Feeling which often tells Women what is seemly and becoming for them to do, without enabling them to say why.
Mrs.Gattyshyly begged me to go down first, because she said myMotherandSisterwould be glad to see me; which indeed they were.Pruehad set out our little Parlour in the prettiest Way imaginable.—MyFather'sArm-Chair was placed forGattyat the littleGothicWindow wreathed with Jessamine; myMother'sChair was in its accustomed Place. This Room was hung with a very expensiveChinesePaper, that had cost myFatherI am afraid to say how much per Yard, and which was covered with Groups ofChineseFigures illustrating the Manners and Customs of that Empire, depicted with extraordinary Liveliness and Verisimilitude; no two Groups alike. This Paper-hanging had beenPrue'sand my Picture-Gallery for many a Year; and when we were Children,and myFatherhad it by him in Pieces, we had needed no other Entertainment on rainy Days; preventing the long Rolls from curling up by setting a Caddy on one End, and a Work-Box on the other. Corresponding with this Paper were sundry Josses and Jars, much fitter for LadyBettythan for us; and the Mantel-Shelf was decorated with Nosegays of fresh Flowers; myMotherhaving put the Five Senses carefully away, for Fear they should share the Fate of the Shepherdesses. As for the Tea-Table, never was such a Spread! Fancy-Bread, Buns, and Cakes of all Descriptions, cold Fowl, marbled Veal, delicate Slices of pink Ham, and a superb Dish of ripe Grapes. DearPrue, whom I had not seen for some Days, was blooming with Health and Sprightliness. She had put on a pretty chintz Muslin over her Pea-green silk Petticoat, with a Knot or two of pale pink Ribbon to her Stomacher, and her best Muslin Apron worked with Pansiesand Sweet-Peas. A Sweet-Pea she was herself! so brightly, delicately tinted with Colour! so pliant, slim, and debonnaire! When we were little Girls, kind Dr.Elweshad been wont to say we were as like as two Peas,—two Sweet-Peas; but somehow, I fell off afterwards, lost my Bloom and Freshness, grew lanky and angular, whilePrue'sscarlet Lips and carmine Cheeks, and violet-blue Eyes, grew brighter and deeper every Day; only she stopped growing too soon, and, but for her neat Make, would have been too round.
Well, I went up for Mrs.Gatty, and entering somewhat too softly, surprised her on her Knees. She slightly coloured as she rose, but said Nothing, and putting her Arm within mine, went down Stairs; having doubtlessly vented her Gratitude for late Mercies received, in pious Ejaculation, which made me love her all the better. MyMother'sandSister'sReception of her was most cordial, to which sheresponded with the utmost Cheerfulness; and we vied with one another in Alacrity in conducting her to her Seat, and bolstering her up in it. "Of course, you know," said I toPrudence, "that Dr.Elwesis going to join us by and by."—"Oh, yes," says she, "and Mr.Fenwicktoo;" which startled me a little, and made me cast a furtive Glance at myself in a little oval Mirrour in a Shell-work Frame that hung by the Window. The View was not satisfactory; in dressingGertrude, I had neglected bestowing Pains on myself: besides, my wan Look and heavy Eyes were what no Pains could remedy. I suppressed a little Sigh, and looked atGatty. Pale as she yet was, evenPrue'sBeauty faded before hers, into the buxom Bloom of a Milkmaid.Gertrude'sLoveliness was independent of red and white, though the delicate Muslin Kerchief over her Neck was not purer than the lily Throat it enclosed. For Convenience sake, I had tied her abundant Hair in a Clubbehind, low down on the Poll, with a broad black Ribband; her Gown was of the plainest mourning Stuff; yet there she sate, an enthroned Queen for Beauty in its Glory, without being in the least conscious of it. Of course, Angels are beautiful without being vain; I thinkGattywas as removed from Vanity as an Angel, and almost as beautiful. There was a Dignity, Repose, and Thought about her, that made you conclude her Mind to be set upon Something high, even without her speaking a Word. As all this struck me, I felt inclined to slip away and smarten myself; but then thought, why should I? I'm trim and neat, though neither pretty nor gay; to aim at matchingGattywould be futile; and as for looking wan, why,she'smy Reward; for, in nursing her into Health, I have neglected my own.
So I remained as I was; and presently came down Mr.Fenwick, who,Prudencetold me, had been quite another Man since Mr.Caryl'sVisit. Close on his Heelsfollowed Dr.Elwes, in his best Wig and Ruffles, with a Flower in his Button-Hole; so our gala Preparations were by no Means in vain. Then our little Feast began: with two such Men at Table, 'twould have been surprising if good Conversation had been wanting, and every one seemed in happy Tune. As for the Doctor, he was quite on the merry Pin, praised the Cream, Butter, and Cakes, partook of Everything, and complimented us handsomely all round. I believe my dearMotherhad not had such a tranquilly pleasant Evening for many a Day. I presided at the Tea-Board, which was supplied with fairy-like Cups without Handles, of real China, and the Tea-Caddy was real Chinese too, one of my poorFather'sPurchases.Pruetripped off now and then into the Shop; but our ManPeterwas on Duty there, as well asSaunders'sDaughter, so that we could leave the Business pretty safely in their Charge.
All at once entersNanny Saundersfromthe Shop, with a Face as red as Currant-Jelly; and, "Sir,—Mr.Fenwick!" says she, "here's a Gentleman of Quality inquiring for you!" and without more ado, ushers Mr.Paul Carylin upon us.
For my Part, I felt greatly confused; the rest expressed by their Looks simple Surprise, all except Mr.Fenwick, who, upsetting his Cup (which luckily was empty) in his Hurry to rise, and colouring very red, hastened to meet his Guest.
"Faith, I find you pleasantly engaged, Sir!" were the easy, lively Words first spoken by our Man of Fashion. "Don't let me disturb any one, pray.—May I request to be presented to the Ladies?" And he bowed upon myMother'sHand as if she had been a Duchess, salutedPrueand me more distantly, and stood at pause for a Moment when he came toGatty, then bowed low, noticed the Doctor, and then turned to Mr.Fenwick.
"I've good News for you," said he gaily, "so thought I would bring it myself.I know how I should have liked it, had I been in your Place. But suppose we postpone it a little, and enjoy the Goods the Gods provide us. Why should we forget the universal Doom of Man—'Fruges consumere nati'? Ha, Sir?"
I mutely offered him a Dish of Tea, which he immediately accepted; and, as he sipped it, he addressed some trifling Remark to myMother, who cheerfully replied. Many Persons would have been completely fluttered by the Entry of an unexpected Guest, of a Grade so removed from their own; but myMothernever lost her Self-Possession or Self-Respect; which on this Occasion was so influential on all around her, that we almost immediately regained our Ease, and became as cheerful and chatty as we had been before.
"Upon my Life, this is a very pleasant little Interlude!" cried Mr.Caryl. "What a lucky Fellow I am! Always falling on my Legs! Here, now, haveI dropped into the midst of a most agreeable little Tea-Party, and am made welcome to all these good Things as if my Presence were no Intrusion!"
"Don't name Intrusion, Sir," says myMother.
"But Imustname it, Madam! Most abominable Intrusion! Hum,—hum,—I can't help thinking I have seen that Lady's Face before"—with his Eyes full uponGatty.
"The Day LadyBettywas here, Sir."
"Bless my Soul, yes! I remember all about it now. Most unlucky occurrence! You're quite recovered, Ma'am, I hope?"
And he seemed all at once to reflect, that, whereas he had been here on a previous Occasion with myLady, he was now taking Tea with the Lady's Maid. Too well-bred to behave superciliously, he nevertheless said not another Syllable toGatty, but kept eyeing her continually like a fine Picture. For her Part,Gattylooked so little towards him, that I believe she was quite unconscious of the Attention. A Physician is fit Company for Anybody; and Dr.Elwesput some Question about the News of the Day, which soon led to general and fluent Conversation. Mr.Carylwas evidently not aiming to shine, as when at LadyBetty'sTable. I cannot recall one witty Thing that he said; but, on the other Hand, there was a racy, genial flow of small Talk, in which all could take their Share, and no one felt distanced or outshone, that was even better thanBon-motor Repartee. Mr.Fenwickwas, I believe, on the Tenter-Hooks, at first, for Mr.Caryl'sgood News; but soon making out that it was not immediately forthcoming, he gave himself up to the Enjoyment of the passing Moment. Ere Tea was well over, they fell to some amusing Play upon Words, that must be shown upon Paper. Writing Implements were immediately found Room for; and from one ingenious Puzzle to another they went on,now giving us Anagrams to make out, now sending round Quips and Queries that each was to answer in their own Fashion, till DoctorElwesexclaimed, "Oh, Brag and Loo! how well we can do without you!"
I whispered to him softly, "Shall I fill your Pipe, Sir?"
"No!" returns he, with equal Quietness, "I meant to have had one, but these young Sparks keep me awake without it. They're monstrous good Company, Mrs.Patty."
And so we went on as merry as Crickets, till I began to think of two Things at once; that is to say, of two Dozen—the Anagram before me—and Sausage Rolls, Oyster Patties, stewed Sweetbreads, and so forth for Supper; and to be sensible that I must go and look after them. Just then, I noticed a distressed look crossPrue'sFace at some little Attention Mr.Fenwickpaid Mrs.Gatty. "Dear me, how foolish of you,Prue," thought I, "to be vexedby Anything like that! Why, he cares very little aboutyou, and Nothing at all forher!" And, stealing from my Seat, I was about to withdraw quietly to the Kitchen, when suddenly the Parlour-Door flies wide open, and on the Threshold stands my poorFather, with a Face as red as his Waistcoat, who after giving an amazed Glance round about him, exclaims:
"Hoity-toity! Who are all these young Fellows, amusing themselves in myChineseParlour?"
I thought Mr.Carylwould have gone into Fits with suppressed Laughter. "Sir," said he, advancing and bowing, "I as the chief Intruder, beg to introduce myself by the Name of Mr.Paul Caryl, of theInner Temple, at your Service; and this is my Friend and your Lodger, Mr.Fenwick, whom I have made a Call upon. The other Gentleman, you will perceive, is your Family Physician."
"You seem all monstrous merry and mightily at Home with one another,"says myFather, who evidently had, as was but too common, taken a little too much; "I almost seem like an Interloper in my own House; however, I don't care if I have a cheerful Glass with you to improve our Acquaintance. Hallo! where's my Chair gone? I had like to have sat down upon the Floor."
"Here, Sir," saidGatty, hastily rising.
"Here, Sir? and who areyou, Madam? I don't remember ever to have seen your Face before; not an ugly one, neither! Pray, are you Mrs.Paul Caryl?"
"Oh no, Sir!"
"Who then? Mrs. ... Mrs. ... I shall forget my own Name next; hum! Hallo! Why, where are my Senses?"
Mr.Caryland Mr.Fenwicklooked at him in Amazement; whileweknew what he missed, well enough.
"Where are they?" reiterated he, raising his Voice very loud, and stamping the Floor. "Woman!" addressing myMother, "where, I say, are my Five Senses?"
"Dear Mr.Honeywood, they're safe in the China Cupboard," began myMother, which set Mr.Caryloff in an inextinguishable Fit of Laughter.
"Are these your Manners, Sir?" cries myFather, fiercely turning upon him.
"'Pon my Honour, I'm ashamed of them," says Mr.Caryl, covering his Face in his Cambric Handkerchief.
"Where are my Senses, I say?" recommences myFather; on which Mr.Caryl, unable to stand it any longer, rushes into the Shop, and Mr.Fenwickafter him. There we hear them, while my poorFatherstill continues raging, giving way to fresh Peals of Laughter, which they vainly attempt to smother; and at length Mr.Caryldeparts, without returning to wish us good bye; and Dr.Elwesshortly goes also, giving us knowing Looks, and advisingGattyand me to go immediately to Bed. And so ended the Evening.
NextMorning, myFatherat his Breakfast questioned us straitly as to what had been going on during his Absence, and seemed scarcely to know whether to take Offence at it or not. The receiving and nursing a Stranger under Mrs.Gatty'sCircumstances would have been Something to cavil at; but then she was own Woman to LadyBetty, for whom, though he only knew her in Public, he entertained great Respect; and besides, Mrs.Gattywas a fine Woman, which of itself was a Letter of Recommendation to him. Moreover, she sat by all the While, knitting a WhiteSilk Mitten; so that he could not, for Manners, speak against her in her Hearing; and myFather, when himself, was a well-mannered Man. So he hemmed once or twice, and swallowed any Objections he might have made, had we been by ourselves; and then, to turn the Subject, "Mrs.Gatty," says he, "that Mitten will become your Hand well; but most other Women's Fingers, coming out of it, would look like Radishes. And now, let us clear Decks, and make way for the Carpenters."
"The Carpenters,Father?" repeatedPrueand I in a breath.
"Aye, there are a couple of Fellows coming down to put up two little Shelves and Brackets, for some little Matters that the Mantel-Piece is too shallow for. I bespoke the Men overnight, and brought the Toys in with me. Here,Peter, you Knave, bring them in."
Where was the Use of saying Anything?
"Now," says he, laughing as he unpackedthem, "here are the comicallest Things you ever saw in your life; and soyou'llsay, Mrs.Gatty. Look here—a rural Piece in Cherry-Wood Carving, Farm-Yard and Farm-House; a Beggar approaching the Door. I wind it up behind, like a Time-Piece. Now, mark you, the Fun of the Thing! The Beggar advances—out flies a Mastiff from the House, and furiously attacks him! ha, ha, ha!
"Now, look at this other, its Companion; a lone House in the Country; Time, Peep of Day.... A Thief getting in at a First-Floor Window, by Means of a Ladder ...Hodge, coming out of the Barn, with a Pitchfork, assails him from behind,—you shall see how, as soon as I have wound it up. Now then! ho! ho! ho! see how he digs into him."
Gattyburst into such an irrepressible Fit of pretty Laughter, that myFatherwas her sworn Friend from that Moment; whilePrueand I, influenced by mixedFeelings of Vexation and Amusement, laughed with more Constraint.
While myFatherwas makingHodgeassail the Marauder again and again, and each Time bursting into fresh Peals of Merriment, enters to himPeter, with a Paper in his Hand, a Glance at which changed myFather'sNote in an Instant.
"Hark ye,Peter!" says he; "why, your Face is a Yard long! What's your Name, Man? your Sirname, I mean."
"Greavesis my Sirname, Sir—Peter Greaves."
"Peter Grievous, it should ha' been!Peter Grievous-had-a-Cat!And your Crest, a Cat proper, with the Motto, 'When I'm pleased, I purr!' But this is no purring Matter,Peter; tell the Fellow who brought this Paper, that I'm not at Home—I sha'n't be, by the Time you get to him."
And, snatching up his Hat, he hastily made off through the Glass-Door into the Garden; and thence, no Doubt, to hisCrony,Don Saltero, for whom, indeed, he had such a profound Admiration, that I believe no Title of Honour could have been conferred on himself that he would have liked half as well as that ofDon Honeywood-o. When he was gone,Prueand I locked up the new Purchases, and sent away the Carpenters, telling them to await future Orders; andGattywrote a Billet to LadyBetty, to acquaint her with her Amendment, and request Directions concerning her Return. Meanwhile, I was carrying up Mr.Fenwick'sChocolate, whenPrue, meeting me on the Stairs, said, "Oh, I meant to have saved you that Trouble, dearPatty."
"Oh," I replied, "I am able to return to all my little Duties now; you have too long worked for both."
"I don't think of that," replied she, with a little Disappointment in her Air; "Mr.Fenwickhas got used to me now, and I thought you would be better for a little Rest."
"Ah,Prudence, Prudence!" thought I, as I pursued my Way, "this reminds me of the passing Shade on your Brow Yesterday Evening, when he was attending to Mrs.Gatty. Beware of playing, like a Moth, round a Candle, my dear little Sister, for it will lead to no good."
When I went in, Mr.Fenwicklooked round briskly from his Writing-Table, with a Smile, exclaiming:
"Why, I have been expecting—oh! is it you, Mrs.Patty? (with a scarcely perceptible Change in his Voice); I have been expecting my Chocolate, I was going to say, this Half-Hour or more; but pray don't think me impatient—I'm sure I ought not to be so hungry, considering how you feasted me last Night. 'Tis a Sign of returning Health, I suppose."
"I fervently hope it may be, Sir," said I. "Most likely it is. I am sure every Thing in the Way of Nourishment this House contains is at your Service."
"Thank you, thank you," said he."Yes, I really believe I am getting well—have turned the Corner, in Fact; and when I have taken this nice Chocolate, I think I shall go and bask in the Sun under those Elm-Trees yonder."
"Then I will put a Cushion for you, Sir, on the Garden-Seat, and a Foot-stool on the Grass before it; for indeed you must not get chilled!"
"Nay, you will coddle me too much—you have made me too luxurious a Fellow already. You don't suppose I had all these Vagaries inShoreditch, do you? I want to be there again, though!—I long to return to my poor People; only, I don't know that my Voice is yet strong enough, either for Preaching or Reading. I must make Trial of it, Mrs.Patty; I must begin by small Degrees. I was thinking, that if you happened to be by yourselves this Evening, it might not be unagreeable to you for me to come down and read to you all for a little While—just for Practice."
"By ourselves, Sir?—MyFathermay or may not be at Home; we are unlikely to have any one else; and I am sure your Plan will be a very delightful one to ourselves."
"Very well; we will wait till the Time comes, then, to see if it be convenient. You are all well this Morning, I hope? YourMother, andSister, and Mrs.Gatty?"
"All well, I kindly thank you, Sir.—I hear myself called ... I believe I am wanted in the Shop."
I made use of the first spare Moment, to run and place the Foot-stool and Cushion under the Elms, and then returned to my Post behind the Counter. In the course of the Afternoon, enters Mr.Caryl, who salutes me with easy Urbanity.
"Good Morning, Ma'am," says he; "pray, is Mr.Fenwickwithin?"
"I believe, Sir, he is sitting under the Elms in our little Pleasure-Ground," said I; "I will show you the Way."
"There's no Need; I know it already," says he. "Pray, don't trouble yourself."
However, I knew what were Manners.
"Ha!" said he, as we passed through the Parlour, which happened to be vacant, "what a pleasant Evening we had in this Room last Night, and how funnily it ended!—Pray, Ma'am, has the Gentleman yet found his five Senses?"
And I saw he was brimful of Mirth, that was ready to explode at the merest Word.
"Sir," said I, "allow me to say that you did not know where the Gift of that Speech lay last Night. MyFatherhad presented myMotherwith a Group of Porcelain Figures, representing the Five Senses, which she, in her Care for them, had put away."
"Was that all?" cried he, his Countenance immediately changing. "Oh, I see!—aye, aye—How absurd my Blunder was! Upon my Word, Ma'am, I begyour Pardon for having been so unmannerly. Shocking! shameful!"
Here we came upon Mr.Fenwick, who finding himself exposed to a chill Current of Air under the Elms, had got under the Shelter of the House, where myFatherhad set up a pretty enough rustical Seat, just outside of our Dairy Wire-Lattice. Hence it came to pass that I, being presently engaged in seeing the Afternoon Milk brought in, heard a good deal of what passed between the two Gentlemen, whether I would or no.
"I've securedDodsley'sEar," says Mr.Caryl, cheerfully, "so that I fancy I have but to speak a Word to secure your Piece a Place in hisCollection. Nothing remains to be done but for you to attend to a little Revision in the first Place, before you submit it to his critical Eye. What say you?"
"Say? That I am infinitely obliged."
"'Let my future Life,' &c.—hey? We'll suppose that all spoken. Well,here is your Manuscript; I've just scored through what I think had better be altered and left out. You are not doubtful of my Judgment, I suppose?"
"Surely not—Just allow me to see."—
"Lookhere,—andhere—those had better come out. Here again.... What's 'Phœbus' Mane?'"
"Phœbus'Wain."
"Oh, I see. That's your bad writing;Hand-writing, of course, I mean. Here again, 'thwarting Thunder.'"
"That's Miltonic."
"Is it?"
"'And heal the Harms of thwarting Thunder blue.'"
"'And heal the Harms of thwarting Thunder blue.'"
"Hum! Well then, it strikes me, thatMiltonhaving said so once, you had better not say it again."
"Very well, I will not."
"Then, this about Truth. It's very bad—will never do. I was obliged to skip it in reading toDodsley."
"But why?"
"Why? Why, because it isn't the Thing!—won't go down, Sir! You carry it out too far, farther than Anybody goes; it's so much Clap-Trap, and spoils what's real."
"But it is not Clap-Trap. It says no more than I mean and feel! No, no; I'll give up verbal Points to your better Taste, but in Matters of Principle, I cannot alter."
"Nay then, the Thing's at an End, for I honestly tell you I won't concern myself with it as it stands. You may surely allow me somelittleKnowledge of these Things. However, it's no Use talking to an infatuated Man—otherwise, there is another Passage I was going to propose to you to withdraw, which doubtless you will maintain to be the best in the Manuscript."
"Which is that?"
"This, about the Water-Nymphs."
"Well,—I think it pretty, and can't see what there is to object to in it; but,to yield to your better Taste, it shall be withdrawn, if you like."
"My dearFenwick! you don't say so?"
"I say so, and mean it too."
"Why, this will be a great Sacrifice of yours, especially as it is against your own Judgment,—of one of the most showy Passages, though I won't say one of the best!"
"Never mind! Let it be so."
"Come, this is docile and agreeable of you. The Men atWill's, in Fact, extolled this Passage, and pronounced it to be my own! Taxed me with reading a Poem I had written, as that of another Hand!"
"Nay, now the Water-Nymphs begin to rise in Value in my Eyes."
"In Fact, Ihadsaid Something like this, only not so well, in a former Piece; and they thought I had now worked it out, and improved on it. So that you see I don't exactly want our Things to clash; nor to get you accused of Plagiary...."
"Mr.Caryl, not another Word.—The Passage shall be omitted."
"Well, I like this; I like your Feeling. Thank you, thank you. We need never allude to it."
"Never again."
"As for 'Truth,' let it stand. You have yielded a Point to me, I'll yield one to you."
"I'm glad of that, for I really could not have withdrawn that Passage."
"And I'll speak toDodsleyto-morrow, and get you into theCollection; so expect a Proof-Sheet at no very distant Date, and then we shall look on you as one of the Guild."
And shaking Hands with him, Mr.Caryldeparted.
This Conversation afforded me afterwards, as I sat netting behind the Counter, Subject for a good deal of Thought. Here was Jealousy peeping out again; a great Poet jealous of a small one; for so, without any competent Knowledge of theirrespective Merits, I concluded them to be. But if (which I was not sure of) Mr.Carylwere the better Poet, Mr.Fenwickwas the better Man. I had seen him absorbed in the Composition of that Poem Day after Day; he had given it the nicest Finish in his Power; there were Thoughts in it which he cherished as part of himself, and would not be false to, nor give up, to please any Patron in the World; but yet a favourite Passage, the Fancy and Expression of which he believed to be good, but which another Man was envious of, he could obliterate with Magnanimity. That seemed a great Word for a little Thing; but was it a little Thing? The Wits atWill'shad applauded it; had given it to a popular Writer; then the real Writer deserved to be as popular. He might have been as popular, had he kept it in; he might not become popular if it were taken out. Then again, Expediency. Had it crossed his Mind that it was expedient to keep well with Mr.Caryl, at theExpense of a Passage of Poetry? That did not seem like Mr.Fenwick; I did not believe the Thought had weighed with him.
Then I proceeded, in my Foolishness and Self-Ignorance, to ponder how strange it was that it should be hard to Anybody of Common-Sense and Good-Feeling, to hear:
"Praise of another with unwounded Ear."
"Praise of another with unwounded Ear."
"Why now," thought I to myself, "Ihave never found it a hard Matter to do so. These many Years I have known that Everybody consideredPrudenceprettyPrue, and me plainPatty, and yet I have never experienced the slightest Emotion of Envy or Jealousy on that Account."
Ah! we little know ourselves. "The Heart is deceitful above all Things, and desperately wicked—who can know it?" That's the Scriptural Account of the Matter;and however we may gloss it over, escape from it, or flatly disbelieve in it altogether, it turns out to be the true one at last.
Mrs. Gattywas circumspect not to occupy myFather'sArm-Chair this Evening, whether he came to claim it or no. When the Tea-Things were set, I stept up to Mr.Fenwickto let him know we were ready.
"So soon?" said he, looking up from his Book; "why, do you want me to read to you before Tea?"
"We hope you will oblige us with your Company to Tea, Sir," said I.
"Nay then," said he, in high Good-Humour, "I'll join you directly." Andclosing his Book with Alacrity, he followed me down Stairs.
We had made no Difference, tocallDifference, for him this Evening. He took us as he found us; and chatted away on this and that, as much one of ourselves as if he had not a Word ofLatinorGreekin his Head. Once or twice I tried to lead to Something I thought he would have liked better,—Something on which he could have harangued while it would have behoved us to listen; but he darted away from it directly, andwouldkeep down to the Level of his Company, without seeming to mind it.
After Tea, we all took out our Work, and myMotherbegan to snip a Fly-catcher.
"Oh, now you expect me to read, I suppose," said he; but still delayed, to chat and laugh about this and the other Trifle withPrudenceandGatty, till at last, a sudden Pause occurring, he had no Excuse for idling any longer.
He said he would, with our Leave, readusShenstone's "Schoolmistress." We had never heard of it, and were quite willing to hear it on his Recommendation. He said it was a Burlesque in theSpenserianStanza. We knew what a Burlesque was, but not what was aSpenserianStanza. He said, Illustration was the best Explanation, and began at once. His Voice and Manner of reading were so musical, that I liked the Melody; and could follow him with Ease till he got to "Libs,Notus, andAuster." I suppose he guessed we might be at Fault, so checked himself to tell us they were Names of the Winds. Then he was about to resume, whenPrueinterrupted him with, "Pray, Sir, what isunkempt?"
"Uncombed, to be sure," put inGatty.
"Oh, very well, I have been thinking of it ever so long, and could not make out what it was."
"If I come to Anything you wish to know, pray don't scruple to stop me," says Mr.Fenwick; and went on.
By and by,Pruegets treading onGatty'sFoot at—
"As erst the Bard by Mulla's Silver Stream,"
"As erst the Bard by Mulla's Silver Stream,"
andGattyfrowns at her. Mr.Fenwick, perceiving some By-Play going on, stops to ask if they have Anything to say.Prudencehangs her Head over her Work, colours a little, and says, "No, Sir."
"I believe," says Mr.Fenwick, glancing over the Leaves, "I had better modernize the old Style a little, that you may follow it better."
We all thanked him, exceptPrudence, who said she liked it best as it was.
"Why? Did she understand it?"
"No."
"Then why did she like it?"
"Because she did." This Answer made Mr.Fenwicklaugh; but I must say I thought it very stupid. However, he went on, till within a few Verses of the End; when myFatherwalked in.
Mr.Fenwick, laying down the Bookwith that Cheerfulness and Self-Possession which so well became him, took the first Word, and said—
"Good Evening, Mr.Honeywood! Here am I, you see, reading to your good Wife and Daughters, and trying to prepare myself for Duty on a larger Scale."
"Sir, you do us honour," says myFather, quite civilly; "your Company must be an Honour to us at any Time, whenever you please to bestow it on us. Pray go on."
"Oh, we can wait a little While," says Mr.Fenwick. "Pray, is there any News stirring?"
"There's a Whale in theThames," says my Father.
"Indeed!" cried we all.
"And there's an Eye-lash in my Eye," continues he; "pray, Mrs.Honeywood, come and take it out."
While myMotherwas thus engaged, we chatted among ourselves. "What will you have,Father?" said I. "Shall I make you some Tea?"
"No, I'd rather you put on Supper half an Hour, and let me have Something broiled, and some mulled Wine and Toast."
When I returned from giving Orders, I found myFatherestablished in his Arm-Chair, myMotherreturned to her Snipping,PrueandGattyembroidering different Corners of the same Apron, and Mr.Fenwickready to resume his Reading. The Poem was soon finished, and when we had talked it over a little, he asked us what he should read next. I said I thought he had better not do too much at first, and Supper would soon be ready. He said, "Oh, he was just getting into the Humour of it, and there was Plenty of Time to read some short Piece before Supper." So then myMothersaid she thought a Paper of theTatlerwould be just long enough; and mentioned a favourite Number that she had not read for a good While—that charming Piece[1]beginning,—"There are several Persons who have many Pleasures and Entertainments in their Possession which they do not enjoy;" and proceeding to give such a touching Picture of domestic Felicity. Mr.Fenwickread it with such Feeling that we were all delighted with it; and it seemed to me that even myFather, who sat quite silent, with his Back to us, was moved by it, for I noticed his breathing very hard,—his only Way of expressing strong Feeling. "Ah!" thought I to myself, "if Mr.Fenwickwere to read to us in this nice Way every Evening, and myFatherwere to grow fond of it and of him, and get into the Way of coming Home early, instead of sipping Spirits and Water withDon Saltero, how happy we should be!"
"And now," says myMother, "there's a Sequel to that Paper, which I should very much like to hear, save for the Fear of tiring Mr.Fenwick."
"Oh, I'm not at all tired," said he;
"Pray give it me; for I am already quite in love with this good Man and his Wife."
So myMotherlooked him out No. 114, which begins, "I was walking about my Chamber this Morning in a very gay Humour, when I saw a Coach stop at my Door, and a Youth of about fifteen alight out of it,"—and goes on to describe the Death of the Wife and Mother of the Family. We were presently all in Tears;Gattyeven sobbing; and Mr.Fenwickseemed irresolute once or twice whether to proceed or stop. However, he went on, and when he came to the Husband fainting, my Attention was divided between him and myFather, who at that Crisis gave not a Sigh but a Snore. He was fast asleep. MyMother, ashamed of him, gave him a little Nudge, and said, "My Dear!" on which he turned on his Side, murmured, "Very like a Whale!" and was off again as sound as a Top. None of us could help laughinga little, and after this, there were no more Tears shed. We supped, and separated for the Night.
Gattyand I still slept together; and, as we were undressing, she said, "I fear your Sister thought me affected to-night for crying at that Death-Bed Scene; she gave me such a Look! Indeed I could not help it; I have witnessed one so much like it; and my Spirits are yet tender."
I said, "Pray do not think of it again—Prudencehas that sharp Look sometimes, and seems just now under some little Misapprehension; but in the Main, there cannot be a better Creature. She has not seen so much of you as I have, but yet, I am sure she likes you, and admires you too."
"Nobody can do that," saysGatty; "but I don't want to be admired, though I own it is pleasant to me to be liked, and not to be misapprehended."
As she lay down, she said sighing, "Mostlikely, this is the last Night I shall pass in this dear little Bed."
I said, "Shall you be sorry to leave us?"
"To be sure I shall!" cried she; "you have been Kindness itself to me; even my Illness was solaced, and my Recovery has been very pleasant; but my Life in Servitude is anything but comfortable. I have heard or read a Line somewhere: