基本信息
round their mama in the drawing-room: she lay reclined on a sofa by the fireside, and with her darlings about her (for the time neither quarrelling nor crying) looked perfectly happy. me, she had dispensed from joining the group; saying, 'she regretted to be under the necessity of keeping me at a distance; but that until she heard from bessie, and could discover by her own observation, that i was endeavouring in good earnest to acquire a more sociable and childlike disposition, a more attractive and sprightly manner- something lighter, franker, more natural, as it were- she really must exclude me from privileges intended only for contented, happy, little children.' 'what does bessie say i have done?' i asked. 'jane, i don't like cavillers or questioners; besides, there is something truly forbidding in a child taking up her elders in that manner. be seated somewhere; and until you can speak pleasantly, remain silent.' a small breakfast-room adjoined the drawing-room, i slipped in there. it contained a bookcase: i soon possessed myself of a volume, taking care that it should be one stored with pictures. i mounted into the window-seat: gathering up my feet, i sat cross-legged, like a turk; and, having drawn the red moreen curtain nearly close, i was shrined in double retirement. folds of scarlet drapery shut in my view to the right hand; to the left were the clear panes of glass, protecting, but not separating me from the drear november day. at intervals, while turning over the leaves of my book, i studied the aspect of that winter afternoon. afar, it offered a pale blank of mist and cloud; near a scene
