been: I have never since seen its like upon earth.

After this came the great joy of sending an answer, which I wrote
(with infinite pains as to the capital letters) at my mother's
dictation. And then it was read over and corrected, and added to,
and finally directed, as my father had instructed us, to "Mr. Ezekiel
Trenoweth; care of John P. Eversleigh, Esq., of the East India
Company's Service, Colombo, Ceylon." I remember that my mother
sealed it with the red cornelian Ezekiel had given her when he asked
her to be his wife, and took it with her own hands to Penzance to
post, having, for the occasion, harnessed old Pleasure in the cart
for the first time since we had been alone.

Then we had to wait again, and the little store of money grew small
indeed. But Aunt Elizabeth was a wonderful contriver, and tender of
heart besides, although in most things to be called a "hard" woman.
She had married, during my grandfather's long absence, Dr. Loveday,
of Lizard Town--a mild little man with a prodigious vanity in brass
buttons, and the most terrific religious beliefs, which did not in
the least alter his natural sweetness of temper. My aunt and uncle
(it was impossible to think of them except in this order) would often
drive or walk over to Lantrig, seldom without some little present,
which, together with my aunt's cap-box, would emerge from the back
seat, amid a _duetto_ something after this fashion:--

_My Aunt_. "So, my dear, we thought as we were driving in this
direction we would see how you were getting on; and
by great good fortune, or rather as I should say
(Jasper, do not hang your head so; it looks so
deceitful) by the will of Heaven (and Heaven's will
be done, you know, my dear, which must be a great
comfort to you in your sore affliction), as Cyrus was
driving into Cadgwith yesterday--were you not,
Cyrus?"

_My Uncle_. "To be sure, my dear."

_My Aunt_. "Well, as I was saying, as Cyrus was driving into
Cadgwith yesterday to see Martha George's husband,
who was run over by the Helston coach, and she such a
regular attendant at the Prayer-meeting, but in the
midst of life (Jasper, don't fidget)--well, whom
should he see but Jane Ann Collins, with the finest
pair of ducks, t