Your place is perfectly magnificent; it abounds in fruit and vegetables and lovely flowers.

I should never have imagined this possible years ago, when I wandered about here with my friend Cornelia.
I am coming now to the principal subject of this letter, which is less pleasant.

I do not understand how your daughter has gotten her disposition.

She does not either resemble you, with your fresh and open manner, or Cornelia, with her merry, pliant disposition, which won every one's heart.

The child has a dull and sullen nature, a roughness of manner and an unheard-of stubbornness.