“. . . But were you to see my father’s countenance. It is now, I really think, the most dreadful face I ever beheld! It appears constantly convulsed by ill-humour, and every unamiable feeling that can be expressed; his face is quite red, his hair grey and dirty, his beard long, and the clothes he wears not worth sixpence. In this plight he arrived at Upton the third night after my arrival, fearing my portmanteau was lost. I was strolling out with the girls, and was surprised to meet Mr Rees coming to meet us, and not less so when he stretched out his friendly hand to shake mine, saying, ‘Who do you think is come to Upton? Your father! in his old clothes too, poor man! He thought you had lost your box.’ The good man really thought I should be alarmed at my father’s appearance, and was anxious to see me first. After keeping me awake the whole night, he went to Laugharne in the morning, displeased, I believe, at not being asked to spend the day. If you had seen the good old man trying to behave so that I might think he was pleased with my father. He is in truth a most amiable man, though not a very sensible one. He has Mrs Cotton’s blush, and none of the tricks of old age. He was tutor to Tom” [name illegible]. “Molly was in his way, as she was waiting-maid in the same house, and he married her, from what motive I will not pretend to say. . . .”
