Such mutual praises of economy; and 'that is my way!'--and 'this I
do!'--and 'I am glad it has your approbation, Sir!'--and 'you look
into every thing, Madam!'--'Nothing would be done, if I did not!'--

Such exclamations against servants! Such exaltings of self! And dear
heart, and good lack!--and 'las a-day!--And now-and-then their
conversation sinking into a whispering accent, if I come across them!
--I'll tell you, my dear, I don't above half like it.

Only that these old bachelors usually take as many years to resolve
upon matrimony as they can reasonably expect to live, or I should be
ready to fire upon his visits; and to recommend Mr. Hickman to my
mother's acceptance, as a much more eligible man: for what he wants in
years, he makes up in gravity; and if you will not chide me, I will
say, that there is a primness in both (especially when the man has
presumed too much with me upon my mother's favour for him, and is
under discipline on that account) as make them seem near of kin: and
then in contemplation of my sauciness, and what they both fear from
it, they sigh away! and seem so mightily to compassionate each other,
that if pity be but one remove from love, I am in no danger, while
they are both in a great deal, and don't know it.

Now, my dear, I know you will be upon me with your grave airs: so in
for the lamb, as the saying is, in for the sheep; and do you yourself
look about you; for I'll have a pull with you by way of being
aforehand. Hannibal, we read, always advised to attack the Romans
upon their own territories.

You are pleased to say, and upon your word too! that your regards
(a mighty quaint word for affections) are not so much engaged, as some