There was in it
a shadow of reproach, and such warmth of communicative cordiality
as left me speechless. I watched her instead till her hens' milk
was ready.
'Now,' said she, 'taste that.'
I did so, and swore it was nectar. She collected her eggs and
crouched in front of me to watch me eat. There was about this tall
young lady at the moment an air of motherliness delicious to
behold. I am like the English general, and to this day I still
wonder at my moderation.
'What sort of clothes will you be wanting?' said she.
'The clothes of a gentleman,' said I. 'Right or wrong, I think it
is the part I am best qualified to play. Mr. St. Ives (for that's
to be my name upon the journey) I conceive as rather a theatrical
figure, and his make-up should be to match.'
'And yet there is a difficulty,' said she. 'If you got coarse
clothes the fit would hardly matter. But the clothes of a fine
gentleman--O, it is absolutely necessary that these should fit!
And above all, with your'--she paused a moment--'to our ideas
somewhat noticeable manners.'
'Alas for my poor manners!' said I. 'But my dear friend Flora,
these little noticeabilities are just what mankind has to suffer
under. Yourself, you see, you're very noticeable even when you
come in a crowd to visit poor prisoners in the Castle.
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