CHAPTERI—OURSOCIETY
INthefirstplace，CranfordisinpossessionoftheAmazons；alltheholdersofhousesaboveacertainrentarewomen。Ifamarriedcouplecometosettleinthetown，somehowthegentlemandisappears；heiseitherfairlyfrightenedtodeathbybeingtheonlymanintheCranfordeveningparties，orheisaccountedforbybeingwithhisregiment，hisship，orcloselyengagedinbusinessalltheweekinthegreatneighbouringcommercialtownofDrumble，distantonlytwentymilesonarailroad。Inshort，whateverdoesbecomeofthegentlemen，theyarenotatCranford。Whatcouldtheydoiftheywerethere？Thesurgeonhashisroundofthirtymiles，andsleepsatCranford；buteverymancannotbeasurgeon。Forkeepingthetrimgardensfullofchoiceflowerswithoutaweedtospeckthem；forfrighteningawaylittleboyswholookwistfullyatthesaidflowersthroughtherailings；forrushingoutatthegeesethatoccasionallyventureintothegardensifthegatesareleftopen；fordecidingallquestionsofliteratureandpoliticswithouttroublingthemselveswithunnecessaryreasonsorarguments；forobtainingclearandcorrectknowledgeofeverybody’saffairsintheparish；forkeepingtheirneatmaid—servantsinadmirableorder；
forkindness（somewhatdictatorial）tothepoor，andrealtendergoodofficestoeachotherwhenevertheyareindistress，theladiesofCranfordarequitesufficient。\"Aman，\"asoneofthemobservedtomeonce，\"isSOinthewayinthehouse！\"AlthoughtheladiesofCranfordknowalleachother’sproceedings，theyareexceedinglyindifferenttoeachother’sopinions。Indeed，aseachhasherownindividuality，nottosayeccentricity，prettystronglydeveloped，nothingissoeasyasverbalretaliation；but，somehow，good—willreignsamongthemtoaconsiderabledegree。
TheCranfordladieshaveonlyanoccasionallittlequarrel，spiritedoutinafewpepperywordsandangryjerksofthehead；
justenoughtopreventtheeventenoroftheirlivesfrombecomingtooflat。Theirdressisveryindependentoffashion；astheyobserve，\"WhatdoesitsignifyhowwedresshereatCranford，whereeverybodyknowsus？\"Andiftheygofromhome，theirreasonisequallycogent，\"Whatdoesitsignifyhowwedresshere，wherenobodyknowsus？\"Thematerialsoftheirclothesare，ingeneral，goodandplain，andmostofthemarenearlyasscrupulousasMissTyler，ofcleanlymemory；butIwillanswerforit，thelastgigot，thelasttightandscantypetticoatinwearinEngland，wasseeninCranford—andseenwithoutasmile。
Icantestifytoamagnificentfamilyredsilkumbrella，underwhichagentlelittlespinster，leftaloneofmanybrothersandsisters，usedtopattertochurchonrainydays。HaveyouanyredsilkumbrellasinLondon？WehadatraditionofthefirstthathadeverbeenseeninCranford；andthelittleboysmobbedit，andcalledit\"astickinpetticoats。\"ItmighthavebeentheveryredsilkoneIhavedescribed，heldbyastrongfatheroveratroopoflittleones；thepoorlittlelady—thesurvivorofall—couldscarcelycarryit。
Thentherewererulesandregulationsforvisitingandcalls；andtheywereannouncedtoanyyoungpeoplewhomightbestayinginthetown，withallthesolemnitywithwhichtheoldManxlawswerereadonceayearontheTinwaldMount。
\"Ourfriendshavesenttoinquirehowyouareafteryourjourneyto—night，mydear\"（fifteenmilesinagentleman’scarriage）；\"theywillgiveyousomerestto—morrow，butthenextday，Ihavenodoubt，theywillcall；sobeatlibertyaftertwelve—fromtwelvetothreeareourcallinghours。\"
Then，aftertheyhadcalled—
\"Itisthethirdday；Idaresayyourmammahastoldyou，mydear，nevertoletmorethanthreedayselapsebetweenreceivingacallandreturningit；andalso，thatyouarenevertostaylongerthanaquarterofanhour。\"
\"ButamItolookatmywatch？HowamItofindoutwhenaquarterofanhourhaspassed？\"
\"Youmustkeepthinkingaboutthetime，mydear，andnotallowyourselftoforgetitinconversation。\"
Aseverybodyhadthisruleintheirminds，whethertheyreceivedorpaidacall，ofcoursenoabsorbingsubjectwaseverspokenabout。
Wekeptourselvestoshortsentencesofsmalltalk，andwerepunctualtoourtime。
IimaginethatafewofthegentlefolksofCranfordwerepoor，andhadsomedifficultyinmakingbothendsmeet；buttheywereliketheSpartans，andconcealedtheirsmartunderasmilingface。Wenoneofusspokeofmoney，becausethatsubjectsavouredofcommerceandtrade，andthoughsomemightbepoor，wewereallaristocratic。TheCranfordianshadthatkindlyESPRITDECORPS
whichmadethemoverlookalldeficienciesinsuccesswhensomeamongthemtriedtoconcealtheirpoverty。WhenMrsForrester，forinstance，gaveapartyinherbaby—houseofadwelling，andthelittlemaidendisturbedtheladiesonthesofabyarequestthatshemightgetthetea—trayoutfromunderneath，everyonetookthisnovelproceedingasthemostnaturalthingintheworld，andtalkedonabouthouseholdformsandceremoniesasifweallbelievedthatourhostesshadaregularservants’hall，secondtable，withhousekeeperandsteward，insteadoftheonelittlecharity—schoolmaiden，whoseshortruddyarmscouldneverhavebeenstrongenoughtocarrythetrayupstairs，ifshehadnotbeenassistedinprivatebyhermistress，whonowsatinstate，pretendingnottoknowwhatcakesweresentup，thoughsheknew，andweknew，andsheknewthatweknew，andweknewthatsheknewthatweknew，shehadbeenbusyallthemorningmakingtea—breadandsponge—cakes。
Therewereoneortwoconsequencesarisingfromthisgeneralbutunacknowledgedpoverty，andthisverymuchacknowledgedgentility，whichwerenotamiss，andwhichmightbeintroducedintomanycirclesofsocietytotheirgreatimprovement。Forinstance，theinhabitantsofCranfordkeptearlyhours，andclatteredhomeintheirpattens，undertheguidanceofalantern—bearer，aboutnineo’clockatnight；andthewholetownwasabedandasleepbyhalf—
pastten。Moreover，itwasconsidered\"vulgar\"（atremendouswordinCranford）togiveanythingexpensive，inthewayofeatableordrinkable，attheeveningentertainments。Waferbread—and—butterandsponge—biscuitswereallthattheHonourableMrsJamiesongave；
andshewassister—in—lawtothelateEarlofGlenmire，althoughshedidpractisesuch\"eleganteconomy。\"
\"Eleganteconomy！\"HownaturallyonefallsbackintothephraseologyofCranford！There，economywasalways\"elegant，\"andmoney—spendingalways\"vulgarandostentatious\"；asortofsour—
grapeismwhichmadeusverypeacefulandsatisfied。InevershallforgetthedismayfeltwhenacertainCaptainBrowncametoliveatCranford，andopenlyspokeabouthisbeingpoor—notinawhispertoanintimatefriend，thedoorsandwindowsbeingpreviouslyclosed，butinthepublicstreet！inaloudmilitaryvoice！
alleginghispovertyasareasonfornottakingaparticularhouse。
TheladiesofCranfordwerealreadyrathermoaningovertheinvasionoftheirterritoriesbyamanandagentleman。Hewasahalf—paycaptain，andhadobtainedsomesituationonaneighbouringrailroad，whichhadbeenvehementlypetitionedagainstbythelittletown；andif，inadditiontohismasculinegender，andhisconnectionwiththeobnoxiousrailroad，hewassobrazenastotalkofbeingpoor—why，then，indeed，hemustbesenttoCoventry。
Deathwasastrueandascommonaspoverty；yetpeopleneverspokeaboutthat，loudoutinthestreets。Itwasawordnottobementionedtoearspolite。Wehadtacitlyagreedtoignorethatanywithwhomweassociatedontermsofvisitingequalitycouldeverbepreventedbypovertyfromdoinganythingthattheywished。Ifwewalkedtoorfromaparty，itwasbecausethenightwasSOfine，ortheairSOrefreshing，notbecausesedan—chairswereexpensive。Ifweworeprints，insteadofsummersilks，itwasbecausewepreferredawashingmaterial；andsoon，tillweblindedourselvestothevulgarfactthatwewere，allofus，peopleofverymoderatemeans。Ofcourse，then，wedidnotknowwhattomakeofamanwhocouldspeakofpovertyasifitwasnotadisgrace。Yet，somehow，CaptainBrownmadehimselfrespectedinCranford，andwascalledupon，inspiteofallresolutionstothecontrary。IwassurprisedtohearhisopinionsquotedasauthorityatavisitwhichIpaidtoCranfordaboutayearafterhehadsettledinthetown。MyownfriendshadbeenamongthebitterestopponentsofanyproposaltovisittheCaptainandhisdaughters，onlytwelvemonthsbefore；andnowhewasevenadmittedinthetabooedhoursbeforetwelve。True，itwastodiscoverthecauseofasmokingchimney，beforethefirewaslighted；butstillCaptainBrownwalkedupstairs，nothingdaunted，spokeinavoicetoolargefortheroom，andjokedquiteinthewayofatamemanaboutthehouse。Hehadbeenblindtoallthesmallslights，andomissionsoftrivialceremonies，withwhichhehadbeenreceived。Hehadbeenfriendly，thoughtheCranfordladieshadbeencool；hehadansweredsmallsarcasticcomplimentsingoodfaith；andwithhismanlyfranknesshadoverpoweredalltheshrinkingwhichmethimasamanwhowasnotashamedtobepoor。
And，atlast，hisexcellentmasculinecommonsense，andhisfacilityindevisingexpedientstoovercomedomesticdilemmas，hadgainedhimanextraordinaryplaceasauthorityamongtheCranfordladies。Hehimselfwentoninhiscourse，asunawareofhispopularityashehadbeenofthereverse；andIamsurehewasstartledonedaywhenhefoundhisadvicesohighlyesteemedastomakesomecounselwhichhehadgiveninjesttobetakeninsober，seriousearnest。
Itwasonthissubject：AnoldladyhadanAlderneycow，whichshelookeduponasadaughter。Youcouldnotpaytheshortquarterofanhourcallwithoutbeingtoldofthewonderfulmilkorwonderfulintelligenceofthisanimal。ThewholetownknewandkindlyregardedMissBetsyBarker’sAlderney；thereforegreatwasthesympathyandregretwhen，inanunguardedmoment，thepoorcowtumbledintoalime—pit。Shemoanedsoloudlythatshewassoonheardandrescued；butmeanwhilethepoorbeasthadlostmostofherhair，andcameoutlookingnaked，cold，andmiserable，inabareskin。Everybodypitiedtheanimal，thoughafewcouldnotrestraintheirsmilesatherdrollappearance。MissBetsyBarkerabsolutelycriedwithsorrowanddismay；anditwassaidshethoughtoftryingabathofoil。Thisremedy，perhaps，wasrecommendedbysomeoneofthenumberwhoseadvicesheasked；buttheproposal，ifeveritwasmade，wasknockedontheheadbyCaptainBrown’sdecided\"Getheraflannelwaistcoatandflanneldrawers，ma’am，ifyouwishtokeepheralive。Butmyadviceis，killthepoorcreatureatonce。\"
MissBetsyBarkerdriedhereyes，andthankedtheCaptainheartily；
shesettowork，andby—and—byallthetownturnedouttoseetheAlderneymeeklygoingtoherpasture，cladindarkgreyflannel。I
havewatchedhermyselfmanyatime。DoyoueverseecowsdressedingreyflannelinLondon？
CaptainBrownhadtakenasmallhouseontheoutskirtsofthetown，wherehelivedwithhistwodaughters。HemusthavebeenupwardsofsixtyatthetimeofthefirstvisitIpaidtoCranfordafterI
hadleftitasaresidence。Buthehadawiry，well—trained，elasticfigure，astiffmilitarythrow—backofhishead，andaspringingstep，whichmadehimappearmuchyoungerthanhewas。
Hiseldestdaughterlookedalmostasoldashimself，andbetrayedthefactthathisrealwasmorethanhisapparentage。MissBrownmusthavebeenforty；shehadasickly，pained，carewornexpressiononherface，andlookedasifthegaietyofyouthhadlongfadedoutofsight。Evenwhenyoungshemusthavebeenplainandhard—
featured。MissJessieBrownwastenyearsyoungerthanhersister，andtwentyshadesprettier。Herfacewasroundanddimpled。MissJenkynsoncesaid，inapassionagainstCaptainBrown（thecauseofwhichIwilltellyoupresently），\"thatshethoughtitwastimeforMissJessietoleaveoffherdimples，andnotalwaystobetryingtolooklikeachild。\"Itwastruetherewassomethingchildlikeinherface；andtherewillbe，Ithink，tillshedies，thoughsheshouldlivetoahundred。Hereyeswerelargebluewonderingeyes，lookingstraightatyou；hernosewasunformedandsnub，andherlipswereredanddewy；sheworeherhair，too，inlittlerowsofcurls，whichheightenedthisappearance。Idonotknowwhethershewasprettyornot；butIlikedherface，andsodideverybody，andIdonotthinkshecouldhelpherdimples。Shehadsomethingofherfather’sjauntinessofgaitandmanner；andanyfemaleobservermightdetectaslightdifferenceintheattireofthetwosisters—
thatofMissJessiebeingabouttwopoundsperannummoreexpensivethanMissBrown’s。TwopoundswasalargesuminCaptainBrown’sannualdisbursements。
SuchwastheimpressionmadeuponmebytheBrownfamilywhenI
firstsawthemalltogetherinCranfordChurch。TheCaptainIhadmetbefore—ontheoccasionofthesmokychimney，whichhehadcuredbysomesimplealterationintheflue。Inchurch，heheldhisdoubleeye—glasstohiseyesduringtheMorningHymn，andthenlifteduphisheaderectandsangoutloudandjoyfully。Hemadetheresponseslouderthantheclerk—anoldmanwithapipingfeeblevoice，who，Ithink，feltaggrievedattheCaptain’ssonorousbass，andquiveredhigherandhigherinconsequence。
Oncomingoutofchurch，thebriskCaptainpaidthemostgallantattentiontohistwodaughters。
Henoddedandsmiledtohisacquaintances；butheshookhandswithnoneuntilhehadhelpedMissBrowntounfurlherumbrella，hadrelievedherofherprayer—book，andhadwaitedpatientlytillshe，withtremblingnervoushands，hadtakenuphergowntowalkthroughthewetroads。
IwonderwhattheCranfordladiesdidwithCaptainBrownattheirparties。Wehadoftenrejoiced，informerdays，thattherewasnogentlemantobeattendedto，andtofindconversationfor，atthecard—parties。Wehadcongratulatedourselvesuponthesnugnessoftheevenings；and，inourloveforgentility，anddistasteofmankind，wehadalmostpersuadedourselvesthattobeamanwastobe\"vulgar\"；sothatwhenIfoundmyfriendandhostess，MissJenkyns，wasgoingtohaveapartyinmyhonour，andthatCaptainandtheMissBrownswereinvited，Iwonderedmuchwhatwouldbethecourseoftheevening。Card—tables，withgreenbaizetops，weresetoutbydaylight，justasusual；itwasthethirdweekinNovember，sotheeveningsclosedinaboutfour。Candles，andcleanpacksofcards，werearrangedoneachtable。Thefirewasmadeup；
theneatmaid—servanthadreceivedherlastdirections；andtherewestood，dressedinourbest，eachwithacandle—lighterinourhands，readytodartatthecandlesassoonasthefirstknockcame。PartiesinCranfordweresolemnfestivities，makingtheladiesfeelgravelyelatedastheysattogetherintheirbestdresses。Assoonasthreehadarrived，wesatdownto\"Preference，\"Ibeingtheunluckyfourth。Thenextfourcomerswereputdownimmediatelytoanothertable；andpresentlythetea—
trays，whichIhadseensetoutinthestore—roomasIpassedinthemorning，wereplacedeachonthemiddleofacard—table。Thechinawasdelicateegg—shell；theold—fashionedsilverglitteredwithpolishing；buttheeatableswereoftheslightestdescription。
Whilethetrayswereyetonthetables，CaptainandtheMissBrownscamein；andIcouldseethat，somehoworother，theCaptainwasafavouritewithalltheladiespresent。Ruffledbrowsweresmoothed，sharpvoicesloweredathisapproach。MissBrownlookedill，anddepressedalmosttogloom。MissJessiesmiledasusual，andseemednearlyaspopularasherfather。Heimmediatelyandquietlyassumedtheman’splaceintheroom；attendedtoeveryone’swants，lessenedtheprettymaid—servant’slabourbywaitingonemptycupsandbread—and—butterlessladies；andyetdiditallinsoeasyanddignifiedamanner，andsomuchasifitwereamatterofcourseforthestrongtoattendtotheweak，thathewasatruemanthroughout。Heplayedforthreepennypointswithasgraveaninterestasiftheyhadbeenpounds；andyet，inallhisattentiontostrangers，hehadaneyeonhissufferingdaughter—
forsufferingIwassureshewas，thoughtomanyeyesshemightonlyappeartobeirritable。MissJessiecouldnotplaycards：butshetalkedtothesitters—out，who，beforehercoming，hadbeenratherinclinedtobecross。Shesang，too，toanoldcrackedpiano，whichIthinkhadbeenaspinetinitsyouth。MissJessiesang，\"JockofHazeldean\"alittleoutoftune；butwewerenoneofusmusical，thoughMissJenkynsbeattime，outoftime，bywayofappearingtobeso。
ItwasverygoodofMissJenkynstodothis；forIhadseenthat，alittlebefore，shehadbeenagooddealannoyedbyMissJessieBrown’sunguardedadmission（APROPOSofShetlandwool）thatshehadanuncle，hermother’sbrother，whowasashop—keeperinEdinburgh。MissJenkynstriedtodrownthisconfessionbyaterriblecough—fortheHonourableMrsJamiesonwassittingatacard—tablenearestMissJessie，andwhatwouldshesayorthinkifshefoundoutshewasinthesameroomwithashop—keeper’sniece！
ButMissJessieBrown（whohadnotact，asweallagreedthenextmorning）WOULDrepeattheinformation，andassureMissPoleshecouldeasilygethertheidenticalShetlandwoolrequired，\"throughmyuncle，whohasthebestassortmentofShetlandgoodsofanyoneinEdinbro’。\"Itwastotakethetasteofthisoutofourmouths，andthesoundofthisoutofourears，thatMissJenkynsproposedmusic；soIsayagain，itwasverygoodofhertobeattimetothesong。
Whenthetraysre—appearedwithbiscuitsandwine，punctuallyataquartertonine，therewasconversation，comparingofcards，andtalkingovertricks；butby—and—byCaptainBrownsportedabitofliterature。
\"Haveyouseenanynumbersof’ThePickwickPapers’？\"saidhe。
（Theywe’rethenpublishinginparts。）\"Capitalthing！\"
NowMissJenkynswasdaughterofadeceasedrectorofCranford；
and，onthestrengthofanumberofmanuscriptsermons，andaprettygoodlibraryofdivinity，consideredherselfliterary，andlookeduponanyconversationaboutbooksasachallengetoher。Sosheansweredandsaid，\"Yes，shehadseenthem；indeed，shemightsayshehadreadthem。\"
\"Andwhatdoyouthinkofthem？\"exclaimedCaptainBrown。\"Aren’ttheyfamouslygood？\"
SourgedMissJenkynscouldnotbutspeak。
\"Imustsay，Idon’tthinktheyarebyanymeansequaltoDrJohnson。Still，perhaps，theauthorisyoung。Lethimpersevere，andwhoknowswhathemaybecomeifhewilltakethegreatDoctorforhismodel？\"ThiswasevidentlytoomuchforCaptainBrowntotakeplacidly；andIsawthewordsonthetipofhistonguebeforeMissJenkynshadfinishedhersentence。
\"Itisquiteadifferentsortofthing，mydearmadam，\"hebegan。
\"Iamquiteawareofthat，\"returnedshe。\"AndImakeallowances，CaptainBrown。\"
\"Justallowmetoreadyouasceneoutofthismonth’snumber，\"
pleadedhe。\"Ihaditonlythismorning，andIdon’tthinkthecompanycanhavereadityet。\"
\"Asyouplease，\"saidshe，settlingherselfwithanairofresignation。Hereadtheaccountofthe\"swarry\"whichSamWellergaveatBath。Someofuslaughedheartily。Ididnotdare，becauseIwasstayinginthehouse。MissJenkynssatinpatientgravity。Whenitwasended，sheturnedtome，andsaidwithmilddignity—
\"Fetchme’Rasselas，’mydear，outofthebook—room。\"
WhenIhadbroughtittoher，sheturnedtoCaptainBrown—
\"Nowallowmetoreadyouascene，andthenthepresentcompanycanjudgebetweenyourfavourite，MrBoz，andDrJohnson。\"
ShereadoneoftheconversationsbetweenRasselasandImlac，inahigh—pitched，majesticvoice：andwhenshehadended，shesaid，\"I
imagineIamnowjustifiedinmypreferenceofDrJohnsonasawriteroffiction。\"TheCaptainscrewedhislipsup，anddrummedonthetable，buthedidnotspeak。Shethoughtshewouldgivehimafinishingblowortwo。
\"Iconsideritvulgar，andbelowthedignityofliterature，topublishinnumbers。\"
\"HowwastheRAMBLERpublished，ma’am？\"askedCaptainBrowninalowvoice，whichIthinkMissJenkynscouldnothaveheard。
\"DrJohnson’sstyleisamodelforyoungbeginners。MyfatherrecommendedittomewhenIbegantowriteletters—Ihaveformedmyownstyleuponit；Irecommendedittoyourfavourite。\"
\"Ishouldbeverysorryforhimtoexchangehisstyleforanysuchpompouswriting，\"saidCaptainBrown。
MissJenkynsfeltthisasapersonalaffront，inawayofwhichtheCaptainhadnotdreamed。EpistolarywritingsheandherfriendsconsideredasherFORTE。ManyacopyofmanyaletterhaveIseenwrittenandcorrectedontheslate，beforeshe\"seizedthehalf—
hourjustprevioustopost—timetoassure\"herfriendsofthisorofthat；andDrJohnsonwas，asshesaid，hermodelinthesecompositions。Shedrewherselfupwithdignity，andonlyrepliedtoCaptainBrown’slastremarkbysaying，withmarkedemphasisoneverysyllable，\"IpreferDrJohnsontoMrBoz。\"
Itissaid—Iwon’tvouchforthefact—thatCaptainBrownwasheardtosay，SOTTOVOCE，\"D—nDrJohnson！\"Ifhedid，hewaspenitentafterwards，asheshowedbygoingtostandnearMissJenkyns’arm—chair，andendeavouringtobeguileherintoconversationonsomemorepleasingsubject。Butshewasinexorable。ThenextdayshemadetheremarkIhavementionedaboutMissJessie’sdimples。
CHAPTERII—THECAPTAIN
ITwasimpossibletoliveamonthatCranfordandnotknowthedailyhabitsofeachresident；andlongbeforemyvisitwasendedI
knewmuchconcerningthewholeBrowntrio。Therewasnothingnewtobediscoveredrespectingtheirpoverty；fortheyhadspokensimplyandopenlyaboutthatfromtheveryfirst。Theymadenomysteryofthenecessityfortheirbeingeconomical。AllthatremainedtobediscoveredwastheCaptain’sinfinitekindnessofheart，andthevariousmodesinwhich，unconsciouslytohimself，hemanifestedit。Somelittleanecdotesweretalkedaboutforsometimeaftertheyoccurred。Aswedidnotreadmuch，andasalltheladieswereprettywellsuitedwithservants，therewasadearthofsubjectsforconversation。WethereforediscussedthecircumstanceoftheCaptaintakingapooroldwoman’sdinneroutofherhandsoneveryslipperySunday。Hehadmetherreturningfromthebakehouseashecamefromchurch，andnoticedherprecariousfooting；and，withthegravedignitywithwhichhedideverything，herelievedherofherburden，andsteeredalongthestreetbyherside，carryingherbakedmuttonandpotatoessafelyhome。Thiswasthoughtveryeccentric；anditwasratherexpectedthathewouldpayaroundofcalls，ontheMondaymorning，toexplainandapologisetotheCranfordsenseofpropriety：buthedidnosuchthing：andthenitwasdecidedthathewasashamed，andwaskeepingoutofsight。Inakindlypityforhim，webegantosay，\"Afterall，theSundaymorning’soccurrenceshowedgreatgoodnessofheart，\"anditwasresolvedthatheshouldbecomfortedonhisnextappearanceamongstus；but，lo！hecamedownuponus，untouchedbyanysenseofshame，speakingloudandbassasever，hisheadthrownback，hiswigasjauntyandwell—curledasusual，andwewereobligedtoconcludehehadforgottenallaboutSunday。
MissPoleandMissJessieBrownhadsetupakindofintimacyonthestrengthoftheShetlandwoolandthenewknittingstitches；soithappenedthatwhenIwenttovisitMissPoleIsawmoreoftheBrownsthanIhaddonewhilestayingwithMissJenkyns，whohadnevergotoverwhatshecalledCaptainBrown’sdisparagingremarksuponDrJohnsonasawriteroflightandagreeablefiction。I
foundthatMissBrownwasseriouslyillofsomelingering，incurablecomplaint，thepainoccasionedbywhichgavetheuneasyexpressiontoherfacethatIhadtakenforunmitigatedcrossness。
Cross，too，shewasattimes，whenthenervousirritabilityoccasionedbyherdiseasebecamepastendurance。MissJessieborewithheratthesetimes，evenmorepatientlythanshedidwiththebitterself—upbraidingsbywhichtheywereinvariablysucceeded。
MissBrownusedtoaccuseherself，notmerelyofhastyandirritabletemper，butalsoofbeingthecausewhyherfatherandsisterwereobligedtopinch，inordertoallowherthesmallluxurieswhichwerenecessariesinhercondition。Shewouldsofainhavemadesacrificesforthem，andhavelightenedtheircares，thattheoriginalgenerosityofherdispositionaddedacerbitytohertemper。AllthiswasbornebyMissJessieandherfatherwithmorethanplacidity—withabsolutetenderness。IforgaveMissJessiehersingingoutoftune，andherjuvenilityofdress，whenI
sawherathome。IcametoperceivethatCaptainBrown’sdarkBrutuswigandpaddedcoat（alas！toooftenthreadbare）wereremnantsofthemilitarysmartnessofhisyouth，whichhenowworeunconsciously。Hewasamanofinfiniteresources，gainedinhisbarrackexperience。Asheconfessed，noonecouldblackhisbootstopleasehimexcepthimself；but，indeed，hewasnotabovesavingthelittlemaid—servant’slaboursineveryway—knowing，mostlikely，thathisdaughter’sillnessmadetheplaceahardone。
HeendeavouredtomakepeacewithMissJenkynssoonafterthememorabledisputeIhavenamed，byapresentofawoodenfire—
shovel（hisownmaking），havingheardhersayhowmuchthegratingofanirononeannoyedher。Shereceivedthepresentwithcoolgratitude，andthankedhimformally。Whenhewasgone，shebademeputitawayinthelumber—room；feeling，probably，thatnopresentfromamanwhopreferredMrBoztoDrJohnsoncouldbelessjarringthananironfire—shovel。
SuchwasthestateofthingswhenIleftCranfordandwenttoDrumble。Ihad，however，severalcorrespondents，whokeptmeAU
FAITastotheproceedingsofthedearlittletown。TherewasMissPole，whowasbecomingasmuchabsorbedincrochetasshehadbeenonceinknitting，andtheburdenofwhoseletterwassomethinglike，\"Butdon’tyouforgetthewhiteworstedatFlint’s\"oftheoldsong；forattheendofeverysentenceofnewscameafreshdirectionastosomecrochetcommissionwhichIwastoexecuteforher。MissMatildaJenkyns（whodidnotmindbeingcalledMissMatty，whenMissJenkynswasnotby）wrotenice，kind，ramblingletters，nowandthenventuringintoanopinionofherown；butsuddenlypullingherselfup，andeitherbeggingmenottonamewhatshehadsaid，asDeborahthoughtdifferently，andSHEknew，orelseputtinginapostscripttotheeffectthat，sincewritingtheabove，shehadbeentalkingoverthesubjectwithDeborah，andwasquiteconvincedthat，etc。—（hereprobablyfollowedarecantationofeveryopinionshehadgivenintheletter）。ThencameMissJenkyns—Deborah，asshelikedMissMattytocallher，herfatherhavingoncesaidthattheHebrewnameoughttobesopronounced。I
secretlythinkshetooktheHebrewprophetessforamodelincharacter；and，indeed，shewasnotunlikethesternprophetessinsomeways，makingallowance，ofcourse，formoderncustomsanddifferenceindress。MissJenkynsworeacravat，andalittlebonnetlikeajockey—cap，andaltogetherhadtheappearanceofastrong—mindedwoman；althoughshewouldhavedespisedthemodernideaofwomenbeingequaltomen。Equal，indeed！sheknewtheyweresuperior。Buttoreturntoherletters。Everythinginthemwasstatelyandgrandlikeherself。Ihavebeenlookingthemover（dearMissJenkyns，howIhonouredher！）andIwillgiveanextract，moreespeciallybecauseitrelatestoourfriendCaptainBrown：—
\"TheHonourableMrsJamiesonhasonlyjustquittedme；and，inthecourseofconversation，shecommunicatedtometheintelligencethatshehadyesterdayreceivedacallfromherreveredhusband’squondamfriend，LordMauleverer。Youwillnoteasilyconjecturewhatbroughthislordshipwithintheprecinctsofourlittletown。
ItwastoseeCaptainBrown，withwhom，itappears，hislordshipwasacquaintedinthe’plumedwars，’andwhohadtheprivilegeofavertingdestructionfromhislordship’sheadwhensomegreatperilwasimpendingoverit，offthemisnomeredCapeofGoodHope。YouknowourfriendtheHonourableMrsJamieson’sdeficiencyinthespiritofinnocentcuriosity，andyouwillthereforenotbesomuchsurprisedwhenItellyoushewasquiteunabletodisclosetometheexactnatureoftheperilinquestion。Iwasanxious，I
confess，toascertaininwhatmannerCaptainBrown，withhislimitedestablishment，couldreceivesodistinguishedaguest；andIdiscoveredthathislordshipretiredtorest，and，letushope，torefreshingslumbers，attheAngelHotel；butsharedtheBrunonianmealsduringthetwodaysthathehonouredCranfordwithhisaugustpresence。MrsJohnson，ourcivilbutcher’swife，informsmethatMissJessiepurchasedalegoflamb；but，besidesthis，Icanhearofnopreparationwhatevertogiveasuitablereceptiontosodistinguishedavisitor。Perhapstheyentertainedhimwith’thefeastofreasonandtheflowofsoul’；andtous，whoareacquaintedwithCaptainBrown’ssadwantofrelishfor’thepurewellsofEnglishundefiled，’itmaybematterforcongratulationthathehashadtheopportunityofimprovinghistastebyholdingconversewithanelegantandrefinedmemberoftheBritisharistocracy。Butfromsomemundanefailingswhoisaltogetherfree？\"
MissPoleandMissMattywrotetomebythesamepost。SuchapieceofnewsasLordMauleverer’svisitwasnottobelostontheCranfordletter—writers：theymadethemostofit。MissMattyhumblyapologisedforwritingatthesametimeashersister，whowassomuchmorecapablethanshetodescribethehonourdonetoCranford；butinspiteofalittlebadspelling，MissMatty’saccountgavemethebestideaofthecommotionoccasionedbyhislordship’svisit，afterithadoccurred；for，exceptthepeopleattheAngel，theBrowns，MrsJamieson，andalittleladhislordshiphadswornatfordrivingadirtyhoopagainstthearistocraticlegs，Icouldnothearofanyonewithwhomhislordshiphadheldconversation。
MynextvisittoCranfordwasinthesummer。Therehadbeenneitherbirths，deaths，normarriagessinceIwastherelast。
Everybodylivedinthesamehouse，andworeprettynearlythesamewell—preserved，old—fashionedclothes。Thegreatesteventwas，thatMissJenkynshadpurchasedanewcarpetforthedrawing—room。
Oh，thebusyworkMissMattyandIhadinchasingthesunbeams，astheyfellinanafternoonrightdownonthiscarpetthroughtheblindlesswindow！Wespreadnewspapersovertheplacesandsatdowntoourbookorourwork；and，lo！inaquarterofanhourthesunhadmoved，andwasblazingawayonafreshspot；anddownagainwewentonourkneestoalterthepositionofthenewspapers。Wewereverybusy，too，onewholemorning，beforeMissJenkynsgaveherparty，infollowingherdirections，andincuttingoutandstitchingtogetherpiecesofnewspapersoastoformlittlepathstoeverychairsetfortheexpectedvisitors，lesttheirshoesmightdirtyordefilethepurityofthecarpet。DoyoumakepaperpathsforeveryguesttowalkuponinLondon？
CaptainBrownandMissJenkynswerenotverycordialtoeachother。
Theliterarydispute，ofwhichIhadseenthebeginning，wasa\"raw，\"theslightesttouchonwhichmadethemwince。Itwastheonlydifferenceofopiniontheyhadeverhad；butthatdifferencewasenough。MissJenkynscouldnotrefrainfromtalkingatCaptainBrown；and，thoughhedidnotreply，hedrummedwithhisfingers，whichactionshefeltandresentedasverydisparagingtoDrJohnson。HewasratherostentatiousinhispreferenceofthewritingsofMrBoz；wouldwalkthroughthestreetssoabsorbedinthemthatheallbutranagainstMissJenkyns；andthoughhisapologieswereearnestandsincere，andthoughhedidnot，infact，domorethanstartleherandhimself，sheownedtomeshehadratherhehadknockedherdown，ifhehadonlybeenreadingahigherstyleofliterature。Thepoor，braveCaptain！helookedolder，andmoreworn，andhisclotheswereverythreadbare。Butheseemedasbrightandcheerfulasever，unlesshewasaskedabouthisdaughter’shealth。
\"Shesuffersagreatdeal，andshemustsuffermore：wedowhatwecantoalleviateherpain；—God’swillbedone！\"Hetookoffhishatattheselastwords。Ifound，fromMissMatty，thateverythinghadbeendone，infact。Amedicalman，ofhighreputeinthatcountryneighbourhood，hadbeensentfor，andeveryinjunctionhehadgivenwasattendedto，regardlessofexpense。MissMattywassuretheydeniedthemselvesmanythingsinordertomaketheinvalidcomfortable；buttheyneverspokeaboutit；andasforMissJessie！—\"Ireallythinkshe’sanangel，\"saidpoorMissMatty，quiteovercome。\"ToseeherwayofbearingwithMissBrown’scrossness，andthebrightfacesheputsonaftershe’sbeensittingupawholenightandscoldedabovehalfofit，isquitebeautiful。
YetshelooksasneatandasreadytowelcometheCaptainatbreakfast—timeasifshehadbeenasleepintheQueen’sbedallnight。Mydear！youcouldneverlaughatherprimlittlecurlsorherpinkbowsagainifyousawherasIhavedone。\"Icouldonlyfeelverypenitent，andgreetMissJessiewithdoublerespectwhenImethernext。Shelookedfadedandpinched；andherlipsbegantoquiver，asifshewasveryweak，whenshespokeofhersister。
Butshebrightened，andsentbackthetearsthatwereglitteringinherprettyeyes，asshesaid—
\"But，tobesure，whatatownCranfordisforkindness！Idon’tsupposeanyonehasabetterdinnerthanusualcookedbutthebestpartofallcomesinalittlecoveredbasinformysister。Thepoorpeoplewillleavetheirearliestvegetablesatourdoorforher。Theyspeakshortandgruff，asiftheywereashamedofit：
butIamsureitoftengoestomyhearttoseetheirthoughtfulness。\"Thetearsnowcamebackandoverflowed；butafteraminuteortwoshebegantoscoldherself，andendedbygoingawaythesamecheerfulMissJessieasever。
\"ButwhydoesnotthisLordMaulevererdosomethingforthemanwhosavedhislife？\"saidI。
\"Why，yousee，unlessCaptainBrownhassomereasonforit，heneverspeaksaboutbeingpoor；andhewalkedalongbyhislordshiplookingashappyandcheerfulasaprince；andastheynevercalledattentiontotheirdinnerbyapologies，andasMissBrownwasbetterthatday，andallseemedbright，Idaresayhislordshipneverknewhowmuchcaretherewasinthebackground。Hedidsendgameinthewinterprettyoften，butnowheisgoneabroad。\"
IhadoftenoccasiontonoticetheusethatwasmadeoffragmentsandsmallopportunitiesinCranford；therose—leavesthatweregatherederetheyfelltomakeintoapotpourriforsomeonewhohadnogarden；thelittlebundlesoflavenderflowerssenttostrewthedrawersofsometown—dweller，ortoburninthechamberofsomeinvalid。Thingsthatmanywoulddespise，andactionswhichitseemedscarcelyworthwhiletoperform，wereallattendedtoinCranford。MissJenkynsstuckanapplefullofcloves，tobeheatedandsmellpleasantlyinMissBrown’sroom；andassheputineachclovesheutteredaJohnsoniansentence。Indeed，shenevercouldthinkoftheBrownswithouttalkingJohnson；and，astheywereseldomabsentfromherthoughtsjustthen，Iheardmanyarolling，three—piledsentence。
CaptainBrowncalledonedaytothankMistJenkynsformanylittlekindnesses，whichIdidnotknowuntilthenthatshehadrendered。
Hehadsuddenlybecomelikeanoldman；hisdeepbassvoicehadaquaveringinit，hiseyeslookeddim，andthelinesonhisfaceweredeep。Hedidnot—couldnot—speakcheerfullyofhisdaughter’sstate，buthetalkedwithmanly，piousresignation，andnotmuch。Twiceoverhesaid，\"WhatJessiehasbeentous，Godonlyknows！\"andafterthesecondtime，hegotuphastily，shookhandsallroundwithoutspeaking，andlefttheroom。
Thatafternoonweperceivedlittlegroupsinthestreet，alllisteningwithfacesaghasttosometaleorother。MissJenkynswonderedwhatcouldbethematterforsometimebeforeshetooktheundignifiedstepofsendingJennyouttoinquire。
Jennycamebackwithawhitefaceofterror。\"Oh，ma’am！Oh，MissJenkyns，ma’am！CaptainBrowniskilledbythemnastycruelrailroads！\"andsheburstintotears。She，alongwithmanyothers，hadexperiencedthepoorCaptain’skindness。
\"How？—where—where？GoodGod！Jenny，don’twastetimeincrying，buttellussomething。\"MissMattyrushedoutintothestreetatonce，andcollaredthemanwhowastellingthetale。
\"Comein—cometomysisteratonce，MissJenkyns，therector’sdaughter。Oh，man，man！sayitisnottrue，\"shecried，asshebroughttheaffrightedcarter，sleekingdownhishair，intothedrawing—room，wherehestoodwithhiswetbootsonthenewcarpet，andnooneregardedit。
\"Please，mum，itistrue。Iseeditmyself，\"andheshudderedattherecollection。\"TheCaptainwasa—readingsomenewbookashewasdeepin，a—waitingforthedowntrain；andtherewasalittlelassaswantedtocometoitsmammy，andgaveitssistertheslip，andcametoddlingacrosstheline。Andhelookedupsudden，atthesoundofthetraincoming，andseedthechild，andhedartedonthelineandcotcheditup，andhisfootslipped，andthetraincameoverhiminnotime。OLord，Lord！Mum，it’squitetrue，andthey’vecomeovertotellhisdaughters。Thechild’ssafe，though，withonlyabangonitsshoulderashethrewittoitsmammy。PoorCaptainwouldbegladofthat，mum，wouldn’the？Godblesshim！\"
Thegreatroughcarterpuckereduphismanlyface，andturnedawaytohidehistears。IturnedtoMissJenkyns。Shelookedveryill，asifsheweregoingtofaint，andsignedtometoopenthewindow。
\"Matilda，bringmemybonnet。Imustgotothosegirls。Godpardonme，ifeverIhavespokencontemptuouslytotheCaptain！\"
MissJenkynsarrayedherselftogoout，tellingMissMatildatogivethemanaglassofwine。Whileshewasaway，MissMattyandI
huddledoverthefire，talkinginalowandawe—struckvoice。I
knowwecriedquietlyallthetime。
MissJenkynscamehomeinasilentmood，andwedurstnotaskhermanyquestions。ShetoldusthatMissJessiehadfainted，andthatsheandMissPolehadhadsomedifficultyinbringingherround；
butthat，assoonassherecovered，shebeggedoneofthemtogoandsitwithhersister。
\"MrHogginssaysshecannotlivemanydays，andsheshallbesparedthisshock，\"saidMissJessie，shiveringwithfeelingstowhichshedarednotgiveway。
\"Buthowcanyoumanage，mydear？\"askedMissJenkyns；\"youcannotbearup，shemustseeyourtears。\"
\"Godwillhelpme—Iwillnotgiveway—shewasasleepwhenthenewscame；shemaybeasleepyet。Shewouldbesoutterlymiserable，notmerelyatmyfather’sdeath，buttothinkofwhatwouldbecomeofme；sheissogoodtome。\"Shelookedupearnestlyintheirfaceswithhersofttrueeyes，andMissPoletoldMissJenkynsafterwardsshecouldhardlybearit，knowing，asshedid，howMissBrowntreatedhersister。
However，itwassettledaccordingtoMissJessie’swish。MissBrownwastobetoldherfatherhadbeensummonedtotakeashortjourneyonrailwaybusiness。Theyhadmanageditinsomeway—
MissJenkynscouldnotexactlysayhow。MissPolewastostopwithMissJessie。MrsJamiesonhadsenttoinquire。Andthiswasallweheardthatnight；andasorrowfulnightitwas。ThenextdayafullaccountofthefatalaccidentwasinthecountypaperwhichMissJenkynstookin。Hereyeswereveryweak，shesaid，andsheaskedmetoreadit。WhenIcametothe\"gallantgentlemanwasdeeplyengagedintheperusalofanumberof’Pickwick，’whichhehadjustreceived，\"MissJenkynsshookherheadlongandsolemnly，andthensighedout，\"Poor，dear，infatuatedman！\"
Thecorpsewastobetakenfromthestationtotheparishchurch，theretobeinterred。MissJessiehadsetherheartonfollowingittothegrave；andnodissuasivescouldalterherresolve。Herrestraintuponherselfmadeheralmostobstinate；sheresistedallMissPole’sentreatiesandMissJenkyns’advice。AtlastMissJenkynsgaveupthepoint；andafterasilence，whichIfearedportendedsomedeepdispleasureagainstMissJessie，MissJenkynssaidsheshouldaccompanythelattertothefuneral。
\"Itisnotfitforyoutogoalone。ItwouldbeagainstbothproprietyandhumanitywereItoallowit。\"
MissJessieseemedasifshedidnothalflikethisarrangement；
butherobstinacy，ifshehadany，hadbeenexhaustedinherdeterminationtogototheinterment。Shelonged，poorthing，I
havenodoubt，tocryaloneoverthegraveofthedearfathertowhomshehadbeenallinall，andtogiveway，foronelittlehalf—
hour，uninterruptedbysympathyandunobservedbyfriendship。Butitwasnottobe。ThatafternoonMissJenkynssentoutforayardofblackcrape，andemployedherselfbusilyintrimmingthelittleblacksilkbonnetIhavespokenabout。Whenitwasfinishedsheputiton，andlookedatusforapprobation—admirationshedespised。Iwasfullofsorrow，but，byoneofthosewhimsicalthoughtswhichcomeunbiddenintoourheads，intimesofdeepestgrief，InosoonersawthebonnetthanIwasremindedofahelmet；
andinthathybridbonnet，halfhelmet，halfjockey—cap，didMissJenkynsattendCaptainBrown’sfuneral，and，Ibelieve，supportedMissJessiewithatender，indulgentfirmnesswhichwasinvaluable，allowinghertoweepherpassionatefillbeforetheyleft。
MissPole，MissMatty，andI，meanwhileattendedtoMissBrown：andhardworkwefoundittorelieveherquerulousandnever—endingcomplaints。Butifweweresowearyanddispirited，whatmustMissJessiehavebeen！Yetshecamebackalmostcalmasifshehadgainedanewstrength。Sheputoffhermourningdress，andcamein，lookingpaleandgentle，thankinguseachwithasoftlongpressureofthehand。Shecouldevensmile—afaint，sweet，wintrysmile—asiftoreassureusofherpowertoendure；butherlookmadeoureyesfillsuddenlywithtears，morethanifshehadcriedoutright。
ItwassettledthatMissPolewastoremainwithherallthewatchinglivelongnight；andthatMissMattyandIweretoreturninthemorningtorelievethem，andgiveMissJessietheopportunityforafewhoursofsleep。Butwhenthemorningcame，MissJenkynsappearedatthebreakfast—table，equippedinherhelmet—bonnet，andorderedMissMattytostayathome，asshemeanttogoandhelptonurse。Shewasevidentlyinastateofgreatfriendlyexcitement，whichsheshowedbyeatingherbreakfaststanding，andscoldingthehouseholdallround。
Nonursing—noenergeticstrong—mindedwomancouldhelpMissBrownnow。Therewasthatintheroomasweenteredwhichwasstrongerthanusall，andmadeusshrinkintosolemnawestruckhelplessness。
MissBrownwasdying。Wehardlyknewhervoice，itwassodevoidofthecomplainingtonewehadalwaysassociatedwithit。MissJessietoldmeafterwardsthatit，andherfacetoo，werejustwhattheyhadbeenformerly，whenhermother’sdeathlefthertheyounganxiousheadofthefamily，ofwhomonlyMissJessiesurvived。
Shewasconsciousofhersister’spresence，thoughnot，Ithink，ofours。Westoodalittlebehindthecurtain：MissJessiekneltwithherfacenearhersister’s，inordertocatchthelastsoftawfulwhispers。
\"Oh，Jessie！Jessie！HowselfishIhavebeen！Godforgivemeforlettingyousacrificeyourselfformeasyoudid！Ihavesolovedyou—andyetIhavethoughtonlyofmyself。Godforgiveme！\"
\"Hush，love！hush！\"saidMissJessie，sobbing。
\"Andmyfather，mydear，dearfather！Iwillnotcomplainnow，ifGodwillgivemestrengthtobepatient。But，oh，Jessie！tellmyfatherhowIlongedandyearnedtoseehimatlast，andtoaskhisforgiveness。HecanneverknownowhowIlovedhim—oh！ifI
mightbuttellhim，beforeIdie！Whatalifeofsorrowhishasbeen，andIhavedonesolittletocheerhim！\"
AlightcameintoMissJessie’sface。\"Woulditcomfortyou，dearest，tothinkthathedoesknow？—woulditcomfortyou，love，toknowthathiscares，hissorrows\"—Hervoicequivered，butshesteadieditintocalmness—\"Mary！hehasgonebeforeyoutotheplacewherethewearyareatrest。Heknowsnowhowyoulovedhim。\"
Astrangelook，whichwasnotdistress，cameoverMissBrown’sface。Shedidnotspeakforcometime，butthenwesawherlipsformthewords，ratherthanheardthesound—\"Father，mother，Harry，Archy；\"—then，asifitwereanewideathrowingafilmyshadowoverherdarkenedmind—\"Butyouwillbealone，Jessie！\"
MissJessiehadbeenfeelingthisallduringthesilence，Ithink；
forthetearsrolleddownhercheekslikerain，atthesewords，andshecouldnotansweratfirst。Thensheputherhandstogethertight，andliftedthemup，andsaid—butnottous—\"ThoughHeslayme，yetwillItrustinHim。\"
InafewmomentsmoreMissBrownlaycalmandstill—nevertosorrowormurmurmore。
Afterthissecondfuneral，MissJenkynsinsistedthatMissJessieshouldcometostaywithherratherthangobacktothedesolatehouse，which，infact，welearnedfromMissJessie，mustnowbegivenup，asshehadnotwherewithaltomaintainit。Shehadsomethingabovetwentypoundsayear，besidestheinterestofthemoneyforwhichthefurniturewouldsell；butshecouldnotliveuponthat：andsowetalkedoverherqualificationsforearningmoney。
\"Icansewneatly，\"saidshe，\"andIlikenursing。Ithink，too，I
couldmanageahouse，ifanyonewouldtrymeashousekeeper；orI
wouldgointoashopassaleswoman，iftheywouldhavepatiencewithmeatfirst。\"
MissJenkynsdeclared，inanangryvoice，thatsheshoulddonosuchthing；andtalkedtoherselfabout\"somepeoplehavingnoideaoftheirrankasacaptain’sdaughter，\"nearlyanhourafterwards，whenshebroughtMissJessieupabasinofdelicately—madearrowroot，andstoodoverherlikeadragoonuntilthelastspoonfulwasfinished：thenshedisappeared。MissJessiebegantotellmesomemoreoftheplanswhichhadsuggestedthemselvestoher，andinsensiblyfellintotalkingofthedaysthatwerepastandgone，andinterestedmesomuchIneitherknewnorheededhowtimepassed。WewerebothstartledwhenMissJenkynsreappeared，andcaughtuscrying。Iwasafraidlestshewouldbedispleased，assheoftensaidthatcryinghindereddigestion，andIknewshewantedMissJessietogetstrong；but，instead，shelookedqueerandexcited，andfidgetedrounduswithoutsayinganything。Atlastshespoke。
\"Ihavebeensomuchstartled—no，I’venotbeenatallstartled—
don’tmindme，mydearMissJessie—I’vebeenverymuchsurprised—infact，I’vehadacaller，whomyouknewonce，mydearMissJessie\"—
MissJessiewentverywhite，thenflushedscarlet，andlookedeagerlyatMissJenkyns。
\"Agentleman，mydear，whowantstoknowifyouwouldseehim。\"
\"Isit？—itisnot\"—stammeredoutMissJessie—andgotnofarther。
\"Thisishiscard，\"saidMissJenkyns，givingittoMissJessie；
andwhileherheadwasbentoverit，MissJenkynswentthroughaseriesofwinksandoddfacestome，andformedherlipsintoalongsentence，ofwhich，ofcourse，Icouldnotunderstandaword。
\"Mayhecomeup？\"askedMissJenkynsatlast。
\"Oh，yes！certainly！\"saidMissJessie，asmuchastosay，thisisyourhouse，youmayshowanyvisitorwhereyoulike。ShetookupsomeknittingofMissMatty’sandbegantobeverybusy，thoughI
couldseehowshetrembledallover。
MissJenkynsrangthebell，andtoldtheservantwhoansweredittoshowMajorGordonupstairs；and，presently，inwalkedatall，fine，frank—lookingmanoffortyorupwards。HeshookhandswithMissJessie；buthecouldnotseehereyes，shekeptthemsofixedontheground。MissJenkynsaskedmeifIwouldcomeandhelphertotieupthepreservesinthestore—room；andthoughMissJessiepluckedatmygown，andevenlookedupatmewithbeggingeye，I
durstnotrefusetogowhereMissJenkynsasked。Insteadoftyinguppreservesinthestore—room，however，wewenttotalkinthedining—room；andthereMissJenkynstoldmewhatMajorGordonhadtoldher；howhehadservedinthesameregimentwithCaptainBrown，andhadbecomeacquaintedwithMissJessie，thenasweet—
looking，bloominggirlofeighteen；howtheacquaintancehadgrownintoloveonhispart，thoughithadbeensomeyearsbeforehehadspoken；how，onbecomingpossessed，throughthewillofanuncle，ofagoodestateinScotland，hehadofferedandbeenrefused，thoughwithsomuchagitationandevidentdistressthathewassureshewasnotindifferenttohim；andhowhehaddiscoveredthattheobstaclewasthefelldiseasewhichwas，eventhen，toosurelythreateninghersister。Shehadmentionedthatthesurgeonsforetoldintensesuffering；andtherewasnoonebutherselftonurseherpoorMary，orcheerandcomfortherfatherduringthetimeofillness。Theyhadhadlongdiscussions；andonherrefusaltopledgeherselftohimashiswifewhenallshouldbeover，hehadgrownangry，andbrokenoffentirely，andgoneabroad，believingthatshewasacold—heartedpersonwhomhewoulddowelltoforget。
HehadbeentravellingintheEast，andwasonhisreturnhomewhen，atRome，hesawtheaccountofCaptainBrown’sdeathinGALIGNANI。
JustthenMissMatty，whohadbeenoutallthemorning，andhadonlylatelyreturnedtothehouse，burstinwithafaceofdismayandoutragedpropriety。
\"Oh，goodnessme！\"shesaid。\"Deborah，there’sagentlemansittinginthedrawing—roomwithhisarmroundMissJessie’swaist！\"MissMatty’seyeslookedlargewithterror。
MissJenkynssnubbedherdowninaninstant。
\"Themostproperplaceintheworldforhisarmtobein。Goaway，Matilda，andmindyourownbusiness。\"Thisfromhersister，whohadhithertobeenamodeloffemininedecorum，wasablowforpoorMissMatty，andwithadoubleshockshelefttheroom。
ThelasttimeIeversawpoorMissJenkynswasmanyyearsafterthis。MrsGordonhadkeptupawarmandaffectionateintercoursewithallatCranford。MissJenkyns，MissMatty，andMissPolehadallbeentovisither，andreturnedwithwonderfulaccountsofherhouse，herhusband，herdress，andherlooks。For，withhappiness，somethingofherearlybloomreturned；shehadbeenayearortwoyoungerthanwehadtakenherfor。Hereyeswerealwayslovely，and，asMrsGordon，herdimpleswerenotoutofplace。AtthetimetowhichIhavereferred，whenIlastsawMissJenkyns，thatladywasoldandfeeble，andhadlostsomethingofherstrongmind。
LittleFloraGordonwasstayingwiththeMissesJenkyns，andwhenI
cameinshewasreadingaloudtoMissJenkyns，wholayfeebleandchangedonthesofa。FloraputdowntheRAMBLERwhenIcamein。
\"Ah！\"saidMissJenkyns，\"youfindmechanged，mydear。Ifcan’tseeasIusedtodo。IFlorawerenotheretoreadtome，IhardlyknowhowIshouldgetthroughtheday。DidyoueverreadtheRAMBLER？It’sawonderfulbook—wonderful！andthemostimprovingreadingforFlora\"（whichIdaresayitwouldhavebeen，ifshecouldhavereadhalfthewordswithoutspelling，andcouldhaveunderstoodthemeaningofathird），\"betterthanthatstrangeoldbook，withthequeername，poorCaptainBrownwaskilledforreading—thatbookbyMrBoz，youknow—’OldPoz’；whenIwasagirl—butthat’salongtimeago—IactedLucyin’OldPoz。’\"
ShebabbledonlongenoughforFloratogetagoodlongspellatthe\"ChristmasCarol，\"whichMissMattyhadleftonthetable。
CHAPTERIII—ALOVEAFFAIROFLONGAGO
ITHOUGHTthatprobablymyconnectionwithCranfordwouldceaseafterMissJenkyns’sdeath；atleast，thatitwouldhavetobekeptupbycorrespondence，whichbearsmuchthesamerelationtopersonalintercoursethatthebooksofdriedplantsIsometimessee（\"HortusSiccus，\"Ithinktheycallthething）dotothelivingandfreshflowersinthelinesandmeadows。Iwaspleasantlysurprised，therefore，byreceivingaletterfromMissPole（whohadalwayscomeinforasupplementaryweekaftermyannualvisittoMissJenkyns）proposingthatIshouldgoandstaywithher；andthen，inacoupleofdaysaftermyacceptance，cameanotefromMissMatty，inwhich，inarathercircuitousandveryhumblemanner，shetoldmehowmuchpleasureIshouldconferifIcouldspendaweekortwowithher，eitherbeforeorafterIhadbeenatMissPole’s；\"for，\"shesaid，\"sincemydearsister’sdeathIamwellawareIhavenoattractionstooffer；itisonlytothekindnessofmyfriendsthatIcanowetheircompany。\"
OfcourseIpromisedtocometodearMissMattyassoonasIhadendedmyvisittoMissPole；andthedayaftermyarrivalatCranfordIwenttoseeher，muchwonderingwhatthehousewouldbelikewithoutMissJenkyns，andratherdreadingthechangedaspectofthings。MissMattybegantocryassoonasshesawme。Shewasevidentlynervousfromhavinganticipatedmycall。IcomfortedheraswellasIcould；andIfoundthebestconsolationIcouldgivewasthehonestpraisethatcamefrommyheartasIspokeofthedeceased。MissMattyslowlyshookherheadovereachvirtueasitwasnamedandattributedtohersister；andatlastshecouldnotrestrainthetearswhichhadlongbeensilentlyflowing，buthidherfacebehindherhandkerchiefandsobbedaloud。
\"DearMissMatty，\"saidI，takingherhand—forindeedIdidnotknowinwhatwaytotellherhowsorryIwasforher，leftdesertedintheworld。Sheputdownherhandkerchiefandsaid—
\"Mydear，I’dratheryoudidnotcallmeMatty。Shedidnotlikeit；butIdidmanyathingshedidnotlike，I’mafraid—andnowshe’sgone！Ifyouplease，mylove，willyoucallmeMatilda？\"
Ipromisedfaithfully，andbegantopractisethenewnamewithMissPolethatveryday；and，bydegrees，MissMatilda’sfeelingonthesubjectwasknownthroughCranford，andwealltriedtodropthemorefamiliarname，butwithsolittlesuccessthatby—and—bywegaveuptheattempt。
MyvisittoMissPolewasveryquiet。MissJenkynshadsolongtakentheleadinCranfordthatnowshewasgone，theyhardlyknewhowtogiveaparty。TheHonourableMrsJamieson，towhomMissJenkynsherselfhadalwaysyieldedthepostofhonour，wasfatandinert，andverymuchatthemercyofheroldservants。Iftheychosethatsheshouldgiveaparty，theyremindedherofthenecessityforsodoing：ifnot，sheletitalone。Therewasallthemoretimeformetohearold—worldstoriesfromMissPole，whileshesatknitting，andImakingmyfather’sshirts。IalwaystookaquantityofplainsewingtoCranford；for，aswedidnotreadmuch，orwalkmuch，Ifounditacapitaltimetogetthroughmywork。OneofMissPole’sstoriesrelatedtoashadowofaloveaffairthatwasdimlyperceivedorsuspectedlongyearsbefore。