you are apt (as I suspect) to think that tolerable which otherwise
would be far from being so. I dare say, you would not, with all your
grave airs, like him for yourself; except, being addressed by Solmes
and him, you were obliged to have one of them.--I have given you a
test. Let me see what you will say to it.

For my own part, I confess to you, that I have great exceptions to
Hickman. He and wedlock never yet once entered into my head at one
time. Shall I give you my free thoughts of him?--Of his best and his
worst; and that as if I were writing to one who knows him not?--I
think I will. Yet it is impossible I should do it gravely. The
subject won't bear to be so treated in my opinion. We are not come so
far as that yet, if ever we shall: and to do it in another strain, ill
becomes my present real concern for you.


***


Here I was interrupted on the honest man's account. He has been here
these two hours--courting the mother for the daughter, I suppose--yet
she wants no courting neither: 'Tis well one of us does; else the man
would have nothing but halcyon; and be remiss, and saucy of course.

He was going. His horses at the door. My mother sent for me down,
pretending to want to say something to me.

Something she said when I came that signified nothing--Evidently, for
no reason called me, but to give me an opportunity to see what a fine
bow her man could make; and that she might wish me a good night. She