Sure I am quite one of the family

Sure 'tis most exceeding convenient to have a fine reserv’d chamber where my darlings may come to me, and where besides a most thorough exploration of the angles of the triangle we may discuss a deal of matters in confidence.

I say that the boys have been opening certain matters to me, and since they did not swear me to secrecy, I confide that they hope that I will act the diplomatick emissary 'twixt them and their parents.

Most like, says Josiah. Let us give ear to their desires, that I hope are not about running away to sea or such-like, for did they have some nautickal ambitions I am like to think we can find suitable interest to prefer them to some shipboard place. Or perchance they desire to pursue military glory: I daresay I could go about to find out how one would purchase a commission. Or mayhap they have a fancy to the Indies, and we have friends enough that have interest with the Hon Company.

O, nothing of the sort! says I. Harry is in some concern that you have an ambition to send him to university -

Only does he feel some inclination that way, says Josiah.

- but I apprehend that his real desire is to apprentice to an engineer.

Why, says Eliza, sure that is entirely suitable – I wonder if Mr D- might concede to the matter, tho’ at present I daresay he is more taken up with the oversight of the works than matters of engineering. But he must sure have some knowledge in the matter. But if that is what Harry should like, he is very much at the age when one should be about it, and 'twould, I confide, mean he should leave school.

Well, says Josiah, 'twould entirely be better for him to be about something in which he takes an interest, rather than studies he cares not for, 'tis the high road to getting into mischief.

But he takes some concern, I continue, about leaving Josh at school.

Why, cries Eliza, were we not thinking of having the boys home? Miss N- shows very fine at taking Quintus thro’ his letters and numbers, but she also has that fine understanding of scientifick matters and mathematicks &C that the girls show so well instruct’d at. Why, Her Grace was kind enough to comment upon it and to wish that her governesses had had the like knowledge. Sure there are tutors enough that we might get for such matters as she cannot contrive to impart –

I daresay, says Josiah, there are those that would say 'twould be best to leave Josh to fend for himself without Harry to look after him, and mayhap 'tis foolish soft-heart’d of me, but I would a deal rather have the little fellow at home.

Oh, entirely, says Eliza. 'Tis a fine enough school and they have learnt a good deal there, but sure I should like to have them with us, especially now that we are oblig’d to be so much in Town where there is so much in the way of opportunities.

Such as instruction in the pugilistick art! says I.

'Tis most exceeding kind of Hector, says Josiah. I confide he does not undertake it in hopes of reward, but I should like to find some way of showing appreciation.

Sure, says I, he does it because he takes greatly to the boys and has considerable esteem for you. I will put the matter in advizance: mayhap I should enquire of Euphemia, or perchance Phoebe, that would have some knowledge of what he might have a desire towards.

We look around at one another and Eliza sighs deeply and says, sure they had better return to their own chamber before they fall asleep and are discover’d in the morning.

I confide, says Josiah, that the servants here are well us’d to not noticing certain matters –

Eliza and I both look at him.

- sure, my loves, I was not born yesterday and can tell a hawk from a handsaw whatever wind blows; but even so, 'tis better not to give them occasion.

We kiss and embrace very much, and then my darlings depart.

I arise somewhat late after Sophy brings me my chocolate, and go to breakfast in the dining-room. Because 'tis so well on in the morning, there is none other there but Josh, that I chide for being slugabed.

Oh no, says Josh, I have been up for hours, I go down to the stables and see is there any help I can give, Ajax very kindly let me groom Jezebel this morn. But there is one of His Lordship’s cattle is in a poorly state, and there is a special horse-doctor comes to look it over.

A veterinary surgeon? says I.

That is the word, says Josh, I did not just mind what it was. But would that not be a fine occupation, for they do not just treat horses, tho’ that is a deal of their work. I wonder do they ever get askt to go to menageries is the elephant or the giraffe or one of the apes or suchlike ailing?

I know not, says I, perchance you may have opportunity to ask him.

Josh pushes back his chair and says would I excuse him, in case he misses the veterinary surgeon?

Indeed, my dear, go about your ways.

I go peep into the family room, where my darling convokes with Mrs Wilkins, so I go to the nursery to see my adorable Flora, but the weather being so remarkable fine, Patty has took her out into the gardens.

So I go out with a view to finding my sweet bundle in the garden, but just glance into the stableyard where Milord, his head groom, Ajax, and Josh all stand around looking at a fellow that goes about examining one of Milord’s fine horses very much in the manner of Mr H- examining a patient.

I go on into the garden and spend some while playing hide and seek with Flora and Hannah, while Julius goes follow at Roberts’ heels. They hide, or suppose they do, while I cover my eyes and count, and then I go about not to find them too quickly. Sure 'tis hard, for when I cry o, where can they be? I hear Flora giggling.

In the afternoon Milord has promis’d to take the girls riding in the Park, and I go along with them on my sweet Jezzie-girl.

I ask after the health of his horse and he says he confides 'twill come round; but tho’ the veterinarian is a very clever fellow, he could wish for Captain P-'s lady, that has a deal of understanding in these matters. 'Tis most agreeable to hear this praise of dear Belinda.

The girls come in to the conversation and say Josh has been telling them more than anyone would like to hear about the diseases of the horse, some of which are exceeding disgusting.

So, says I, are many diseases of man.

There is a deal of Society in the Park today; indeed I am glad to be with Milord and the girls, as I confide this keeps off Mr W- Y-, and the Graf only raises his whip in salutation and does not endeavour to engage us in conversation. I observe riding together Lady Z- and Reynaldo. I bow to Mrs O’C-, that walks with her exceeding plain son, and pause a moment to explain that I delay holding a soirée only because of the refurbishment that is in hand, before catching up once more with my companions.

I also observe Mrs K- driving with some fellow that is not Mr D- K-; she delivers me the cut, but indeed I care not, except that I think she is ill-serv’d in her husband. But I daresay Eliza would laugh somewhat immoderate did I wonder whether one might find some contrivance to remedy the difficulties of one that has given most full evidence of her dislike toward me. Sure 'tis very foolish in me.

When we return to R- House, we find that Mr A- has arriv’d and is taking tea in the parlour. Bess and Meg, grumbling considerable, are taken upstairs by Miss N- to put on clean pinafores &C.

I go change myself, since I do not think my riding-habit fit wear for a parlour save when I am about making visits in Northamptonshire with dear Belinda.

I enter the parlour and Mr A- rises and makes a leg. Lady B-! such a pleasure!

I sit down and accept a cup of tea, and ask what he does in Town. O, he says, he has a couple of matters on hand, in particular he wishes to go visit a certain maker of surgickal instruments about provision for the infirmary, and see are there any new devices. He also hopes to place a little work he has writ upon low fevers. He is also most exceeding gratify’d at how genial Mr H- shows, 'twill be an entire treat to see him operate and hear him discourse of interesting cases. Is there any musick he might go hear, he would find that a most splendid thing.

I ask him how the infirmary does, which he tells me in considerable detail. When the girls come in with Miss N-, I see his face light up at the sight of her (for indeed I thought he had some notion towards her: but Mr L- has been beforehand of him). The girls make pretty curtesies.

O, 'tis most exceeding agreeable to feel myself entirely one of the family.