The local reporter reminded him that the late John Leech had already
made use of precisely the same incident for a comic illustration,
afterwards remembering that it was not Leech, but the late Phil May.
He seemed to think this ended the matter. St. Leonard and the Vicar,
who are rival authorities upon the subject, fell into an argument
upon armour in general, with special reference to the fourteenth
century. Each used the boy's head to confirm his own theory, passing
it triumphantly from one to the other. We had to send off young
Hopkins in the donkey-cart for the blacksmith. I have found out, by
the way, how it is young Hopkins makes our donkey go. Young Hopkins
argues it is far less brutal than whacking him, especially after
experience has proved that he evidently does not know why you are
whacking him. I am not at all sure the boy is not right.
Janie played the Fairy Godmamma in a white wig and panniers. She
will make a beautiful old lady. The white hair gives her the one
thing that she lacks: distinction. I found myself glancing
apprehensively round the room, wishing we had not invited so many
eligible bachelors. Dick is making me anxious. The sense of his own
unworthiness, which has come to him quite suddenly, and apparently
with all the shock of a new discovery, has completely unnerved him.
It is a healthy sentiment, and does him good. But I do not want it
carried to the length of losing her.
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