“I thank you for your explanation, madam; I shall always take it as a great compliment if I see a lady very busy at work when I’m conversing, with her.”
“But you may flatter yourself, Captain Bridgeman,” replied my mother; “the attention to her work may arise from perfect indifference, or from positive annoyance. It saves the trouble of making an effort to be polite.”
“And pray, may I inquire, Miss Amelia, what feeling may cause your particular attention to your work at this present moment?”
“Perhaps in either case to preserve my self-possession,” replied Amelia; “or perhaps, Captain Bridgeman, I may prefer looking at a piece of muslin to looking at a marine officer.”
“That’s not very flattering,” replied the captain; “if you spoil the muslin, you’re determined not to spoil me.”
“The muslin is of little value,” said Amelia, softly, walking to the other side of the shop, and turning over the books.
“Mr Flat,” said my mother, “your subscription to the library is out last month; I presume I can put your name down again?”
“Well, I don’t know; I never read a book,” replied Mr Flat, yawning.
“That’s not at all necessary, Mr Flat,” said my mother; “in most businesses there are sleeping partners; besides, if you don’t read, you come here to talk, which is a greater enjoyment still, and luxuries must be paid for.”
“Well, I’ll try another quarter,” replied Mr Flat, “and then—”