My mother often wonders that I can make it out so well.

She often says, when the letter is first opened, 'Well, Hetty, now I think you will be put to it to make out all that checker-work'-- don't you, ma'am ?--And then I tell her, I am sure she would contrive to make it out herself, if she had nobody to do it for her--every word of it--I am sure she would pore over it till she had made out every word.

And, indeed, though my mother's eyes are not so good as they were, she can see amazingly well still, thank God! with the help of spectacles.

It is such a blessing! My mother's are really very good indeed.

Jane often says, when she is here, 'I am sure, grandmama, you must have had very strong eyes to see as you do--and so much fine work as you have done too!--I only wish my eyes may last me as well.'" All this spoken extremely fast obliged Miss Bates to stop for breath; and Emma said something very civil about the excellence of Miss Fairfax's handwriting.
"You are extremely kind," replied Miss Bates, highly gratified; "you who are such a judge, and write so beautifully yourself.