W. Pett Ridge

“ Miss Mitchell so far unbent as to go with Mord Em'ly to call on the sergeant's wife, and on the way imparted, in strict confidence, the growing impression that it was a silly, stupid world, and that, likely as not, she should live and die an old maid. The sergeant's wife greeted Mord Em'ly, and, being informed of the circumstances, declared that if Mord Em'ly did not object to a chair bedstead, and could reconcile herself to a room at the top of the house in Hatcham Park Road, why, let her send for her box forthwith, and she should receive the welcome that was extended to flowers in May. ”

“ Mord Em'ly was silent.
"And if the funds ran to it," he went on, "what I thought was that we'd 'ave a gel to do all the rough work, so that—"
"A servant?" said Mord Em'ly, with a sudden interest. "You mean keep a servant in the 'ouse?"
"To a certain extent," he said, "yes. And me and you to see that she did her work properly, and keep her up to the mark. They take a lot of looking after," went on Mr. Wetherell, "if you want to get your money's worth out of them."
"Shouldn't I fancy meself," cried Mord Em'ly, laughing childishly, "with a servant to wait on me 'and and foot. ”

“ In this little 'ouse I'm speaking of my idea now was to get some furniture on the 'ire system."
Mord Em'ly looked straight before her, and did not answer. The infant Highlander had found an infant boatswain, and they were arguing fiercely in the attempt to cast the parts of the comedy they proposed to play. Both desired to play policeman, and the sergeant's son had an idea of also playing magistrate, but this suggestion did not commend itself to the boatswain.
"Light furniture, you know; and there'd be a bit of a garden out at the back where we could grow flowers. Or try to." ”

“ And they will telegraft out to say so, and I will meet you at Sydney, and I will marry you, and will be a good husband to you.
"It is a longish voyage, but you will soon get used to it, and find someone friendly, because everybody is very amable on board. ”

“ A few lines to tell you that we have arrived at the above place safe and sound, and we leave again in an hour's time. It is a very strange place, and quite different from England. The foreing people are very backward compared with us. ”