5. And I smole; and spoke not; nor uttered the naughty words.
6. So the recording angel was sold;
7. And was about to suck his pen.
8. But I said Nay! give it to me.
9. And I took the pen and wrote on the book of the Autographs letters pleasant to the eye and easy to read.
10. Such as my printers know not: nor the postman—nor the correspondent, who riseth in his wrath and curseth over my epistle ordinary.
[This to his youngest daughter, which, in jesting form, conveys a good deal of sound sense, was the sequel to a discussion as to the advisability of a University education for her own and another boy:—]
Hodeslea, Eastbourne, May 9, 1892.
Dearest Babs,
Bickers and Son have abased themselves, and assure me that they have fetched the Dictionary away and are sending it here. I shall believe them when it arrives.