Small accidents these, my dear, to trouble you with; only as they lead
to greater, as you shall hear.

Before the usual breakfast-time was over, my father withdrew with my
mother, telling her he wanted to speak with her. Then my sister and
next my aunt (who was with us) dropt away.

My brother gave himself some airs of insult, which I understood well
enough; but which Mr. Solmes could make nothing of: and at last he
arose from his seat--Sister, said he, I have a curiosity to shew you.
I will fetch it. And away he went shutting the door close after him.

I saw what all this was for. I arose; the man hemming up for a
speech, rising, and beginning to set his splay-feet [indeed, my dear,
the man in all his ways is hateful to me] in an approaching posture.--
I will save my brother the trouble of bringing to me his curiosity,
said I. I courtesied--Your servant, sir--The man cried, Madam, Madam,
twice, and looked like a fool.--But away I went--to find my brother,
to save my word.--But my brother, indifferent as the weather was, was
gone to walk in the garden with my sister. A plain case, that he had
left his curiosity with me, and designed to shew me no other.

I had but just got into my own apartment, and began to think of
sending Hannah to beg an audience of my mother (the more encouraged by
her condescending goodness at breakfast) when Shorey, her woman,
brought me her commands to attend me in her closet.

My father, Hannah told me, was just gone out of it with a positive
angry countenance. Then I as much dreaded the audience as I had