how much obliged
to you I am for the prospect of the gold thimble, _a thing I have
always wished to possess_.

I--(if it fits!!! But, as I told Charlie, if it is too big I _can_
wrap a sly bit of rag round my finger, but if it's too small, unless I
cut the tip, as Cinderella's sisters cut their heels, I don't know how
I can secure it!) shall additionally value it as a testimony of your
approval of my dear old Hermit[37], for that is one of my greatest
favourites amongst my efforts. Miss Yonge prefers it, I believe, to
anything I have ever done, and Rex nearly so....

Your loving niece, J.H.E.

[Footnote 37: "The Blind Hermit and the Trinity Flower," vol. xvi.]

TO C.T. GATTY.

_Aldershot_. Holy Innocents, 1871,

... I had the very latest widow here for two days "charring." She is
the lady alluded to by Rex when he told Stephen that she had been
weighed, and was found wanting. In justice to her physique, I must say
that this was not according to avoirdupois measure!! but figurative.
She whipped about as nimbly as an elephant. She was rather given to
panting and groaning. You can fancy her. [_Sketch_.] "Mrs. Hewin,
ma'am, _don't_ soil your 'ands! _Let_ me! As I says to the parties at
the 'Imperial' at Folkstone, ladies thinks an elderly person can't get
through their work, but they can do a deal more than the young ones
that has to be told every--Using the table-cloth to wipe the dishes am
I? Tst, tst! so I ham! M'm! Hemma! where's your kitchen cloths? I
don't know where things his yet, Mrs. Hewin. But I've 'ad a 'Ome of my
own, Mrs. Hewin, and been use to take care of things"--("Take care,
Mrs. Plumridge")--"Well now! 'owever did _that_ slip through my
fingers now? Tst! tst! tst! There must have been a bit of butter on
the hunder side I think. Eh! deary dear! Ah--! Oh--!" Pause--Solo
recitative--"Eh, dear! If my poor 'usband was but alive, I shouldn't
be wanting now! I Ope I give you satisfaction, Mrs. Hewin. If I'm
poor, I'm honest. I ope I give satisfaction in hevery way, Mrs. Hewin,
Your property is safe in _my_ 'ands, Mrs. Hewin! What do you think of
my papers, Mrs. Hewin? One lady as see them said she didn't know what
more _hany_ one could require." (Said papers chiefly consisting of
baptism registers of the little Plumridges. Marriage lines of Mrs. P.,
and forms in reference to the late Mr. P., a pensioner.)

SEQUEL.

"Emma, where's the water-can?"

"Please 'm, Mrs. Plumberridge, she left it outs