In the mean time, I write to my friends in France that I am getting on
swimmingly.
I have always been of the opinion that you should run the risk of
exciting the envy rather than the pity of your friends, when you have
made up your mind not to apply to them for a five-pound note.
* * * * *
(M----, Somerset.) _2d August, 1873._
Arrived here yesterday. Find I am the only master, and expected to make
myself generally useful. My object is to practice my English, and I am
prepared to overlook many annoyances.
Woke up this (Sunday) morning feeling pains all over. Compared to this,
my bed at Mrs. Tribble's was one of roses. I look round. In the corner
I see a small washstand. A chair, a looking-glass six inches square
hung on the wall, and my trunk, make up the furniture.
I open the window. It is raining a thick, drizzling rain. Not a soul in
the road. A most solemn, awful solitude. Horrible! I make haste to
dress. From a little cottage, on the other side of the road, the
plaintive sounds of a harmonium reach me. I sit on my bed and look at
my watch. Half an hour to wait for my breakfast. The desolate room,
this outlook from the window, the whole accompanied by the hymn on the
harmonium, are enough to drive me mad. Upon my word, I believe I feel
the corner of my eye wet. Cheer up, boy! No doubt this is awful, but
better times will come. Good heavens! You are not banished from France.
With what pleasure your friends will welcome you back in Paris! In nine
hours, for a few shillings, you can be on the Boulevards.
Breakfast is ready. It consists of tea and bread and butter, the whole
honored by the presence of Mr. and Mrs. R. I am told that I am to take
the boys to church. I should have much preferred to go alone.
On the way to church we met three young ladies--the Squire's daughters,
the boys tell me. They look at me with a kind of astonishment that
seems to me mixed with scorn. This is probably my fancy. Every body I
meet seems to be laughing at me.
_20th August, 1873._
Am still at M., teaching a little French and learning a good deal of
English.
Mrs. R. expresses her admiration for my fine linen, and my wardrobe is
a wonder to her. From her remarks, I can see she has taken a peep
inside my trunk.
Received this morning a letter from a friend in Paris. The dear fellow
is very proud of his noble ancestors, and his notepaper and envelopes
are ornamented with his crest and crown. The letter is handed to me by
Mrs. R., who at the same time throws a significant glance at her
husband. I am a mysterious person in her eyes, that is evident. She
expresses her respect by discreetly placing a boiled egg on my plate at
breakfast. This is an improvement, and I return thanks _in petto_ to my
noble friend in Paris.
* * * * *
_22nd August, 1873._
Whatever may be Mr. R.'s shortcomings, he knows how to construct a
well-filled time-table.