Maria Edgeworth

“ Thank you for your birthday good wishes. How many birthdays have brought me the same never-failing kindness.
A very pleasant meeting we had yesterday at your brother's. [1] Honora, dear Honora, was so nice and kind, nobody but ourselves. At second course appeared the essential trifle, [2] and, trifle as it was, it was quite delightful to me with Honora's smile.
Did you ever taste figs stuffed with almonds? I hope you never may taste them! very bad, I assure you, but how the almonds got in puzzled me; all tight and closed as the outer skin looks without ridge or joining. ”