I was about as bewildered as
the poor Indian who sought to take the census of London by notching
a stick for every passer-by he met. And now before we are through
supper on the first evening of our arrival, another appears, who
is evidently an eligible 'parti' and twice as good as the minx
deserves; but in a few days he, too, will vanish into thin air,
and another and different style of man will take his place. Mark
my words, Ida, you will be through the woods before long, and I
expect you will take up with the crookedest of crooked sticks on
the farther side," and the voluble Mrs. Mayhew resumed her supper
with a zest which this dismal prospect did not by any means impair.
"If I were in search of a crabbed, crooked stick, I would not have
to look farther than yonder table," said the young lady, petulantly.
"What you suppose about that dabbler in paint is about as far from
the truth as your sketch of those who are my friends. That man
never was my friend, and never shall be. I don't want you to get
acquainted with him or speak to him. You must not introduce him
to me, for if you do, I shall be rude to him."
"Hoity-toity! what's the matter?"
"I don't like him.
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