Very happy to hear it. So afraid you might have a headache! seeing you pass by so often, and knowing how much trouble you must have. Delighted to hear it indeed.-Ah! dear Mrs. Elton, so obliged to you for the carriage; excellent time; Jane and I quite ready. Did not keep the horses a moment. Most comfortable carriage. Oh! and I am sure our thanks are due to you, Mrs. Weston, on that score. Mrs. Elton had most kindly sent Jane a note, or we should have been. But two such offers in one day! Never were such neighbours. I said to my mother, 'Upon my word, ma'am.' Thank you, my mother is remarkably well. Gone to Mr. Woodhouse's. I made her take her shawl,-for the evenings are not warm, her large new shawl, Mrs. Dixon's wedding-present. So kind of her to think of my mother! Bought at Weymouth, you know; Mr. Dixon's choice. There were three others, Jane says, which they hesitated about some time. Colonel Campbell rather preferred an olive.-My dear Jane, are you sure you did not wet your feet? It was but a drop or two, but I am so afraid: but Mr. Frank Churchill was so extremely -and there was a mat to step upon. I shall never forget his extreme politeness. Oh! Mr. Frank Churchill, I must tell you my mother's spectacles have never been in fault since; the rivet never came out again. My mother often talks of your good nature: does not she Jane ? Do not we often talk of Mr. Frank Churchill ? Ah! here's Miss Woodhouse. Dear Miss Woodhouse, how do you do? Very well, I thank you, quite well. This is meeting quite in fairy-land. Such a transformation! Must not com pliment, I know (eyeing Emma most complacently)— that would be rude; but upon my word, Miss Woodhouse, you do look-how do you like Jane's hair?

This is delightRichard? Oh! Much better emHow do you do,

You are a judge. She did it all herself. Quite wonderful how she does her hair. No hairdresser from London, I think, could.—Ah! Dr. Hughes, I declare -and Mrs. Hughes. Must go and speak to Dr. and Mrs. Hughes for a moment. How do you do? How do you do? Very well, I thank you. ful, is it not? Where's dear Mr. there he is. Don't disturb him. ployed talking to the young ladies. Mr. Richard? I saw you the other day as you rode through the town. Mrs. Otway, I protest! and good Mr. Otway, and Miss Otway, and Miss Caroline. Such a host of friends! and Mr. George and Mr. Arthur! How do you do! How do you all do? Quite well, I am much obliged to you. Never better. Don't I hear another carriage? Who can this be?— very likely the worthy Coles. Upon my word, this is charming, to be standing among such friends! And such a noble fire! I am quiet roasted. No coffee, I thank you, for me; never take coffee. little tea if you please, sir, bye and bye; no hurry. Oh! here it comes. Everything so good!

A

Supper was announced. The move began; and Miss Bates might be heard from that moment without interruption, till her being seated at table and taking up her spoon.

Jane, Jane, my dear Jane, where are you? Here Is your tippet. Mrs. Weston begs you to put on your tippet. She says she is afraid there will be draughts in the passage, though every thing has been doneone door nailed up-quantities of matting-my dear Jane, indeed you must. Mr. Churchill, oh! you are too obliging!-How well you put it on!-so gratified! Excellent dancing indeed! Yes, my dear, I ran home

as I said I should, to help grandmamma to bed, and got back again, and nobody missed me. I set off without saying a word, just as I told you. Grandmamma was quite well, had a charming evening with Mr. Woodhouse, a vast deal of chat and backgammon. Tea was made downstairs, biscuits and baked apples and wine before she came away: amazing luck in some of her throws: and she inquired a great deal about you, how you were amused, and who were your partners. 'Oh!' said I, 'I shall not forestall Jane; I left her dancing with Mr. George Otway; she will love to tell you all about it herself to-morrow: her first partner was Mr. Elton; I do not know who will ask her next, perhaps Mr. William Cox.' My dear sir, you are too obliging. Is there nobody you would not rather?-I am not helpless. Sir, you are most kind. Upon my word, Jane on one arm, and me on the other! Stop, stop, let us stand a little back, Mrs. Elton is going; Dear Mrs. Elton, how elegant she looks-beautiful lace!-Now we all follow in her train. Quite the queen of the evening!-Well, here we are at the passage. Two steps, Jane, take care of the two steps. Oh! no, there is but one. Well, I was persuaded there were two. How very odd! I was convinced there were two, and there is but one. never saw anything equal to the comfort and stylecandles everywhere. I was telling you of your grandmamma, Jane, there was a little disappointment. The baked apples and biscuits, excellent in their way, you know; but there was a delicate fricassee of sweetbread and some asparagus brought in at first, and good Mr. Woodhouse, not thinking the asparagus quite boiled enough, sent it all out again. Now there is nothing grandmamma loves better than sweetbread and asparagus-so she was rather disappointed; but

I

we agreed we would not speak of it to anybody, for fear of it getting round to dear Miss Woodhouse, who would be so very much concerned!-Well, this is brilliant! I am all amazement !-could not have supposed anything!-such elegance and profusion! I have seen nothing like it since. Well, where shall we sit? Where shall we sit? Anywhere, so that Jane is not in a draught. Where I sit is of no consequence. Oh! do you recommend this side? Well, I am sure, Mr. Churchill-only it seems too goodbut just as you please. What you direct in this house cannot be wrong. Dear Jane, how shall we recollect half the dishes for grandmamma? Soup too! Bless me! I should not be helped so soon, but it smells most excellent, and I cannot help beginning."

JANE AUSTEN

HOME AND CLASS WORK.

Learn the spellings and meanings at the top of the page; and write sentences containing these words.

COWPER, 1731.

[W. Cowper was born at the rectory of Berkhampstead, in Hertfordshire, 1731, losing his mother at the early age of six years. He was at all times very delicate, and suffered much from the thoughtlessness and rough conduct of his schoolfellows. "From the age of 20 to 33 I was occupied, or ought to have been, in the study of the law; from 33 to 60 I have spent my time in the country; at 50 years of age I commenced an author." His principal works are, "The Task," "Table Talk," Translations, and Miscellaneous Poems.

WINTER EVENING IN THE COUNTRY.

Hark! 'tis the twanging horn o'er yonder bridge,
That with its wearisome but needful length
Bestrides the wintry flood, in which the moon
Sees her unwrinkled face reflected bright;
He comes, the herald of a noisy world,

With spattered boots, strapped waist, and frozen locks;

News from all nations lumbering at his back.
True to his charge, the close-packed load behind,
Yet careless what he brings, his one concern
Is to conduct it to the destined inn: