My attention wandered when I tried to read.

Doing nothing meant, in other words, thinking of what had happened.

If you had come into my room, I should have told you all about it.

The next best thing was to talk to you in this way.

You don't know what a relief it has been to me to write these lines." "The night has come, and Mrs.Gallilee's cruelty has at last proved too much even for my endurance.
"Try not to be surprised; try not to be alarmed.