'Phillis, your cousin Manning is come!'

'Call me Paul, will you?' said I; 'they call me so at home, and
Manning in the office.'

'Well, Paul, then. Your room is all ready for you, Paul, for, as
I said to the minister, "I'll have it ready whether he comes on
Friday or not." And the minister said he must go up to the
Ashfield whether you were to come or not; but he would come home
betimes to see if you were here. I'll show you to your room, and
you can wash the dust off a bit.'

After I came down, I think she did not quite know what to do with
me; or she might think that I was dull; or she might have work to
do in which I hindered her; for she called Phillis, and bade her
put on her bonnet, and go with me to the Ashfield, and find
father. So we set off, I in a little flutter of a desire to make
myself agreeable, but wishing that my companion were not quite so
tall; for she was above me in height. While I was wondering how
to begin our conversation, she took up the words.

'I suppose, cousin Paul, you have to be very busy at your work
all day long in general.'

'Yes, we have to be in the office at half-past eight; and we have
an hour for dinner, and then we go at it again till eight or
nine.'

'Then you have not much time for reading.'