Colin Clink, Volume 1 (of 3)

wersoft still higher and higher; and describes an interview

Nor did he fail very strongly to impress upon her mind how necessary it would be, when Miss Sowersoft should arrive, for her to avoid stickling much about the terms on which Colin was to go; because, if by any mishap she sh

nd sickly mechanical trade. So far that was good. What he himself approved, he was most likely to succeed in; and with success in field-craft, he might eventually become a considerable farmer, or raise himself, like Mr. Longstaff, to the stewardship of some large estate. Visions, never to be realised, now rose in vivid distinctness before the mental eye of Mistress Clink. The far-off greatness of her son as a man of business p

passed apparently about eight-and-forty years in this sublunary world. Mistress Clink was at no loss to conjecture at once that in this couple she beheld the future master and mistress of her son Colin. Nor can it be said she was mistaken: the truth being that, after the departure of Mr. Longstaff fr

hing to be found there which he thought he could relish, Miss Sowersoft was conducted into the ho

after called in

her knees while she stroked his hair over his forehead, and finished off with her hand at the tip of his nose. "And how should you like, my boy, to live with me, a

Colin; "I should have

ll, that is finely said. We shall see about that, my boy,-we

oon as Fanny has finish

you will tell me how y

has taught me always to say what I thin

ther!" exclaime

an anybody else in th

me?" ironically dem

time breaking from her hands; "for I don't know you; and, besid

it of truth-for a truth it was, which others would ce

re are no hazel-twigs in Snitterton plantation!" thought Miss Sowersoft, reversing C

nk, somewhat in a tone of interrogation, and as though anx

of stewed meat, puddings, pies, and, I am sure, roasted potatoes past counting. Look at Mr. Palethorpe. You saw him. He does no discredit to the farm, I think. And really he is such a clever, good, honest man! He is worth a Jew's eye on that farm, for I never in my life could get any man like him. Then, see what an excellent master he will be for this boy. In five or six years he would be fit to take the best situation that ever could

essence of honesty, hospitality, and good-nature; and influenced by the feelings of the moment, she regarded Mr

er found,-and of good-nature, which was concentrated wholly upon one individual,-to persuade Mistress Clink to give the services of her boy on the consideration that, in addition to all his other advantages, he should receive tw

im the result of her visit. She found that worthy in his dining-room, with Master Chatham Bolinbroke Longstaff-whom he was attempting to drill in the art

olours upon sheets of Whatman's paper, and dignifying the combination with the title of drawings: while, above stairs, young Smackerton William Longstaff was acquiring the art of horsemanship on a steed o

ood out with great pretended admiration Master Bolinbroke's lesson, eventually succ

ade, but advised her to be very strict with the boy Colin, o

. Sense is well enough, Miss Sowersoft, where parents have discretion to turn it in the right channel, and direct it to proper ends; but I do conscientiously believe that when a little talent gets amongst poor people it plays the very deuce with them, unle

quite a stranger to him, you could not have said anything more true. It was lucky for him that Palethorpe did not hear it, or there would not h

n. She created more mischief in my family, and between Mrs. Longstaff and myself, some years ago, than time has been able altogether to repair. I cannot mention the circumstance more particularly, but you may suppose it was no ordinary thing, when I tell you, that though Mrs. Longstaff knows the charge to have been a

iss Maria, "I feared

one," repeat

is worse," a

aughed, and the steward laughed likewise as he added, that it wo

the morning were finished. This invitation, being the main end and scope of her visit, she accepted at once; and after a very comfortable refection, rendered dull only by the absence of Palethorpe, she took her leave. Shortly afterwards Miss Maria might have been seen