“Thank you a thousand times for what you call your dull letter. There are two or three words in it, which though of very plain stuff, without either edging or brocade, are worth more than the eight pence I gave for them.
“I can promise you an answer not inferior in dulness
to your own. I have got one of my sick-headaches, which though in the way in
which I have them, they are the pettiest and most despic-
| DOMESTIC LETTERS. | 147 |
“Mr Burton and your letter knocked at the door together. The children say they were to have no lessons from him as long as Fanny was away. Mr Burton says they were to have half-hour lessons as usual. Neither to me, nor to Miss Smith, as she says, did you utter a word on the subject. So, till further orders, I yield to the authority of the adult party in the dispute.
“I have had specimens of colouring from Watts and Stodhart, as well as from Hardy, of the Gaffer Gray, and am so far satisfied, that I am the less solicitous for your return home on that account. I should have sent you a copy with this, as well as some letters that the children have written you, but Charles, whom I sent for a frank, has contrived to return without one.
“Do begin to talk in your next about the time and manner of your return. . . . .”
