ttle of that
pleasure which comes from the consciousness of mutual admiration and
esteem, because each one is pitched to so exquisite a tone that each is
afraid to touch another for fear of making discord. They are afraid of
each other everywhere. They cannot sing to each other, play to each
other, write to each other; they cannot even converse together with any
freedom, because each knows that the others are so dismally well
informed and critically instructed.

Though all agree in a secret contempt for their neighbors over the way,
as living in a most heathenish state of ignorant contentment, yet it is
a fact that the elegant brother John will often, on the sly, slip into
the Daytons' to spend an evening, and join them in singing glees and
catches to their old rattling piano, and have a jolly time of it which
he remembers in contrast with the dull, silent hours at home. Kate
Dayton has an uncultivated voice, which often falls from pitch; but she
has a perfectly infectious gayety of good-nature, and when she is once
at the piano, and all join in some merry troll, he begins to think that
there may be something better even than good singing; and then they have
dances and charades and games, all in such contented, jolly, impromptu
ignorance of the unities of time, place, and circumstance, that he
sometimes doubts, where ignorance is such bliss, whether it isn't in
truth folly to be wise.

Jane and Maria laugh at John for his partiality to the Daytons, and yet
they themselves feel the same attraction. At the Daytons' they somehow
find themselves heroines; their drawings are so admired, their singing
is so charming to these uncultured ears, that they are often beguiled
into giving pleasure with their own despised acquirements; and Jane,
somehow, is very tolerant of the devoted attention of Will Dayton, a
joyous, honest-hearted fellow, whom, in her heart of hearts, she likes
none the worse for being unexacting and simple enough to think her a
wonder of taste and accomplishments. Will, of course, is the farthest
possible from the Admirable Crichtons and exquisite Sir Philip Sidneys
whom Mrs. More and the young ladies talk up at their leisure, and adorn
with feathers from every royal and celestial bird, when they are
discussing theoretic possible husbands. He is not in any way
distinguished, except for a kind heart, strong native good sense, and a
manly energy that has carried him straight into the very heart of many a
citade