He said he would, with our Leave, read us Shenstone's "Schoolmistress." We had never heard of it, and were quite willing to hear it on his Recommendation. He said it was a Burlesque in the Spenserian Stanza. We knew what a Burlesque was, but not what was a Spenserian Stanza. He said, Illustration was the best Explanation, and began at once. His Voice and Manner of reading were so musical, that I liked the Melody; and could follow him with Ease till he got to "Libs, Notus, and Auster." I suppose he guessed we might be at Fault, so checked himself to tell us they were Names of the Winds. Then he was about to resume, when Prue interrupted him with, "Pray, Sir, what is unkempt?"
"Uncombed, to be sure," put in Gatty.
"Oh, very well, I have been thinking of it ever so long, and could not make out what it was."
"If I come to Anything you wish to know, pray don't scruple to stop me," says Mr. Fenwick; and went on.
By and by, Prue gets treading on Gatty's Foot at—
"As erst the Bard by Mulla's Silver Stream,"
and Gatty frowns at her. Mr. Fenwick, perceiving some By-Play going on, stops to ask if they have Anything to say. Prudence hangs her Head over her Work, colours a little, and says, "No, Sir."
"I believe," says Mr. Fenwick, glancing over the Leaves, "I had better modernize the old Style a little, that you may follow it better."
We all thanked him, except Prudence, who said she liked it best as it was.