And then I am not to be with a set of people
with whom I have nothing in common--who would be nuisances and bores:
but with you, whom I like and know, and who knows me.
"I have an odd circumstance to relate to you: prepare for a hearty
laugh! The other day, Mr. ---, a vicar, came to spend the day with
us, bringing with him his own curate. The latter gentleman, by name
Mr. B., is a young Irish clergyman, fresh from Dublin University. It
was the first time we had any of us seen him, but, however, after the
manner of his countrymen, he soon made himself at home. His character
quickly appeared in his conversation; witty, lively, ardent, clever
too; but deficient in the dignity and discretion of an Englishman. At
home, you know, I talk with ease, and am never shy--never weighed down
and oppressed by that miserable _mauvaise honte_ which torments and
constrains me elsewhere. So I conversed with this Irishman, and
laughed at his jests; and, though I saw faults in his character,
excused them because of the amusement his originality afforded. I
cooled a little, indeed, and drew in towards the latter part of the
evening, because he began to season his conversation with something of
Hibernian flattery, which I did not quite relish. However, they went
away, and no more was thought about them.
Pages:
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232