It was quite Dark when we got up next Morning, but every one was up, to see Gatty off. We all insisted on her making a hearty Breakfast, and she declared that every Morsel seemed to stick in her Throat; so that it was "most Haste, worst Speed." Prue put her up a large Packet of Sandwiches and Biscuits, saying she would find her Appetite by-and-by; and my Mother pinned her Handkerchief closer at the Throat, bidding her beware of Cold. I thought there would be no End to her Leave-taking.—When she had kissed all round, she began again. "Am not I to come in for my Share, Mrs. Gatty?" says my Father, who was eating an Anchovy. "Oh yes, Sir," says she, laughing, and colouring a little; and kissed him too.
"That's right," says he; "you're one of the right Sort—frank, without being forward—A thorough nice Girl, out and out—I wish the World were full of People like you."
"Thank you for all your Kindness, Sir," says she.
"Pooh," says he, "I've shown you no Kindness; the Women have, I grant ye; all the better for both Parties."
"Come, Gatty," said I, "we shall lose the Coach." So off we set, with Peter carrying the Trunk.
When we reached the Old Angel Inn, a noisy Bell was ringing, enough to deafen one; and a Man blowing a Horn out of the Window. The Coach was already at the Door, and a Porter was shoving a very fat Woman into it, to the apparent Disgust of a Gentleman wrapped in a Roquelaure, who was already withinside. Then the Porter handed the old Woman a Dram-Bottle, and a Puppy-Dog tied up in a red Handkerchief. A thin, tall Gentlewoman in a velvet Hood and green Joseph next followed; and two rough-looking Men got in last. On the Coach-Roof were two Men hallooing and wanting to be off. In the Basket, where Gatty was to go, was an old Woman smoking a Pipe. We took our last Kiss—a hearty one, and our last Look—a cheerful one; she scrambled up into the Basket, which was a very awkward Appurtenance, and the lumbering old Coach drove off, rocking and swaying from Side to Side like a Ship in a Gale of Wind. Going under the Archway, one of the Men on the coved Roof of the Vehicle got a severe Rap on the Head. He hallooed out pretty loudly, but his Voice was drowned by the Horn.
