Fred and Marion.—A pair of lovers. They say they’ve broken off. They say she’s written him a letter. They say he goes with another girl. Dreadful thing to Marion. Probably wear her into a consumption. They say she cries all night. ’Course she’ll send back his presents. Gold ring, worth how much? Some of his presents worn out, Wonder how his father’s property’ll be divided.
Fennel Payne and Adeline.—Fennel Payne, a young married man, distantly related to the Fennels and the Paynes. Has wife (Adeline) and small child. Adeline stuck up. Always was stuck up. Has strange notions. Both of ’em have strange notions. Spent five dollars for a picture. No great things of a picture. Adeline sits down to read in the daytime. They go to take walks together. Go up on the hill and sit down sometimes. Funny actions for married folks.
How are you going to have your Dress made?—(Notes omitted. Reason, unfamiliarity with terms used.)
The above is a small part of what was taken down in my note-book.
Summary of observations made up to date in Tweenit Village:—
First, that woman works hard physically, works very hard, and with not much respite.
Second, that in “carrying on the family” (this is a very common phrase here),—in “carrying on the family,” and in various ways, she displays mental qualities of a high order.
Third, that in working so hard, or in as far as she works so hard, merely to gratify the palate, she is spending herself physically for an unworthy end.
Fourth, that her mind-power is running to waste in the same direction; also in other directions, as is shown by the not very high tone of her conversation.