Thursday.
We set out at about half an hour after six, accordingly; and driving
pretty smartly, got at this truly neat house at half an hour after eight;
and I was much pleased with the neatness of the good woman, and her
daughter and maid; and he was so good as to say he would now and then
take a turn with me to the same place, and on the same occasion, as I
seemed to like it; for that it would be a pretty exercise, and procure us
appetites to our breakfasts, as well as our return would to our dinners.
But I find this was not, though a very good reason, the only one for
which he gave me this agreeable airing; as I shall acquaint you.
We were prettily received and entertained here, and an elegancy ran
through every thing, persons as well as furniture, yet all plain. And my
master said to the good housewife, Do your young boarding-school ladies
still at times continue their visits to you, Mrs. Dobson? Yes, sir, said
she, I expect three or four of them every minute.
There is, my dear, said he, within three miles of this farm, a very good
boarding-school for ladies. The governess of it keeps a chaise and pair,
which is to be made a double chaise at pleasure; and in summer time, when
the misses perform their tasks to satisfaction, she favours them with an
airing to this place, three or four at a time; and after they have
breakfasted, they are carried back.
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