I must confess also that my previous experience as to these
compatriots of mine had not prejudiced me in their favour. I
regarded them with,--I am ashamed to say so, seeing that they were
ladies,--but almost with loathing. When last I had seen them their
occupation had reminded me of some obscene feast of harpies, or
almost of ghouls. They had brought down to the verge of desperation
the man whom of all men I most venerated. On these accounts I was
inclined to be taciturn with reference to them;--and then what could
I have to say to the Misses Macmanus's five pupils?
My cousin at first made an effort or two in my favour, but these
efforts were fruitless. I soon died away into utter unrecognised
insignificance, and the conversation, as I have before said, became
feminine. And indeed that horrid Miss Grogram, who was, as it were,
the princess of the ghouls, nearly monopolised the whole of it.
Mamma Jones--we will call her Jones for the occasion--put in a word
now and then, as did also the elder and more energetic Miss
Macmanus. The dumpy lady with the broad back ate tea-cake
incessantly; the two daughters looked scornful, as though they were
above their company with reference to the five pupils; and the five
pupils themselves sat in a row with the utmost propriety, each with
her hands crossed on her lap before her.
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