CHAPTER VIII. THE “COMING OUT”

ypostponingmyreturnsolong.” “Oh,nevermindyourfriends!Tellthemwewon’tletyougo.” “But,tosaythetruth,itwouldbeadisappointmenttomyself:Ilongtoseethemasmuchastheytoseeme—perhapsmore.” “Well,butitissuchashorttime.” “Nearlyafortnightbymycomputationand,besides,IcannotbearthethoughtsofaChristmasspentfromhome:and,moreover,mysisterisgoingtobemarried.” “Isshe—when?” “NottillnextmonthbutIwanttobetheretoassistherinmakingpreparations,andtomakethebestofhercompanywhilewehaveher.” “Whydidn’tyoutellmebefore?” “I’veonlygotthenewsinthisletter,whichyoustigmatizeasdullandstupid,andwon’tletmeread.” “Towhomisshetobemarried?” “ToMr.Richardson,thevicarofaneighbouringparish.” “Isherich?” “Noonlycomfortable.” “Ishehandsome?” “Noonlydecent.” “Young?” “Noonlymiddling.” “Oh,mercy!whatawretch!Whatsortofahouseisit?” “Aquietlittlevicarage,withanivy-cladporch,anold-fashionedgarden,and—” “Oh,stop!—you’llmakemesick.Howcanshebearit?” “Iexpectshe