I have been trying to make
friends with her, but she is so very unresponsive. She doesn't seem
to want anything but grass, and prefers to get that for herself. She
doesn't seem to want to be happy ever again.
"A funny thing happened in church. I was forgetting to tell you.
The St. Leonards occupy two pews at the opposite end from the door.
They were all there when we arrived, with the exception of the old
gentleman himself. He came in just before the 'Dearly Beloved,' when
everybody was standing up. A running fire of suppressed titters
followed him up the aisle, and some of the people laughed outright.
I could see no reason why. He looked a dignified old gentleman in
his grey hair and tightly buttoned frock coat, which gives him a
somewhat military appearance. But when he came level with our pew I
understood. Hurrying back from his morning round, and with no one
there to superintend him, the dear old absent-minded thing had
forgotten to change his breeches. From a little above the knee
upward he was a perfect Christian; but his legs were just those of a
disreputable sinner.
"'What's the joke?' he whispered to me as he passed--I was in the
corner seat. 'Have I missed it?'
"We called round on them after lunch, and at once I was appealed to
for my decision.
"'Now, here's a plain sensible girl,' exclaimed the old gentleman the
moment I entered the room.' (You will notice I put no comma after
'plain.
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