and am not like; for he is in too large a way to attend himself, and he
sends his man for orders, and to see all done handsome, but cheap.

"_Poor_ Mr. Peebles's man came here last night, and the funeral
will be to-morrow. I am in much trouble, as might be expected. My
_poor_ new black bonnet is not come home, and keeps me fretting;
but _poor_ Peebles's man says I shan't be disappointed, even if he
has to go for it himself. _Poor_ Peebles's man! he is up early and
down late, to see all right. He was in my room this morning before I was
out of bed, that all might be decent, &c. &c. &c. Yours to command, dear
Nelly, MARY SMALL."

"Dear Nelly,--It is now three months and better since that _poor_
coffin was put under ground, and I declare I feel quite queer and
lonesome without it. But business goes on quite well and brisk. _Poor
kind_ Peebles's man! he is off and on; almost always about the house,
doing some kind job or other. He is a very decent body; but, I don't
know how it is, I'm not to say comfortable. There's a sad noise with
my sister's family. You know I never _could_ bear children. My late
husband, that's gone, was the only one of the family that could.
I am sure I don't know what I could do without _poor dear_ Peebles's
man. Yours to command, dear Nelly, MARY SMALL.

"Dear Nelly,--_Poor dear kind_ Peebles's man has never left here;
he's my right hand, and he is a very decent body indeed. It is now six
_good_ months since that _poor_ funeral took place. I find I
am not fit to live alone: I was married this morning to _poor_
Peebles's man. Your sincere friend, dear Nelly, MARY MERRIMATE.

"P.S. Excuse my change of name."