erving-man: but I
suppose we shall find out when the time comes. I said to my Aunt Kezia
that perhaps Grandmamma would lend us Dobson.

"Him!" cried she. "Dear heart, but I'd a vast deal liever be without
him! He would want all the coach-pockets for his silk stockings, and
would take more waiting on than Prince Charlie himself. I make no
account of your grand gentlemen in plush, that pick up baskets with the
tips of their fingers! (My Aunt Kezia cannot get over that.) Give me a
man, or a woman either, with some brains in his head, and some use in
his hands. These southern folks seem to have forgotten how to use
theirs. I watched that girl Martha dusting the other day, and if I did
not long to snatch the duster out of her hands and whip her with it!
She just drew it lazily across the top of the table,--never troubled
herself about the sides,--and gave it one whisk across the legs, and
then she had done. I'd rather do my work myself, every bit of it, than
have such a pack of idle folks about me--ay, ten times over, I would!
They don't seem to have a bit of gumption. They say lawyers go to
Heaven an inch every Good Friday; but if those lazy creatures get there
or anywhere else in double the time, I wonder! And just look at the way
they dress! A good linsey petticoat and a quilted linen bed-gown was
good enough for a woman that had her work to do, when I was young; but
now, dear me! my ladies must have their gowns, and their muslin aprons
of an afternoon, and knots of ribbon in their hair. I do believe they
will take to wearing white stockings, next thing! and gloves when they
go to church! Eh dear, girls! I tell you what, this world is coming to
something!"

Later in the evening, Miss Newton came up to me, with her fan held
before her laughing face.

"My dear Miss Courtenay, what curious things your worthy Aunt does say!
She asked me just now why I came into the world. I told her I did not
know, and the idea had never before occurred to me: and she said, `Well,
then, it is high time it did, and some to spare!' Do all the people in
Cumberland ask you such droll questions?"

I said I thought not, but my Aunt Kezia did, often enough.

"Well, she is a real curiosity!" said Miss Newton, and went away
laughing.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brocklebank Fells, April the 10th, 1746.
At least I begin on the 10th, but when I shall f