Mrs. --- is generally considered
an agreeable woman; so she is, I doubt not, in general society. She
behaves somewhat more civilly to me now than she did at first, and the
children are a little more manageable; but she does not know my
character, and she does not wish to know it. I have never had five
minutes' conversation with her since I came, except while she was
scolding me. I have no wish to be pitied, except by yourself; if I were
talking to you I could tell you much more."
(TO EMILY, ABOUT THIS TIME.)
"Mine bonnie love, I was as glad of your letter as tongue can express: it
is a real, genuine pleasure to hear from home; a thing to be saved till
bedtime, when one has a moment's quiet and rest to enjoy it thoroughly.
Write whenever you can. I could like to be at home. I could like to
work in a mill. I could like to feel some mental liberty. I could like
this weight of restraint to be taken off. But the holidays will come.
Coraggio."
Her temporary engagement in this uncongenial family ended in the July of
this year; not before the constant strain upon her spirits and strength
had again affected her health; but when this delicacy became apparent in
palpitations and shortness of breathing, it was treated as affectation--as
a phase of imaginary indisposition, which could be dissipated by a good
scolding.
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