I suppose they did not wish a revolution and all its consequences at Knowl, and thought it no harm to excite my vigilance.
But it was impossible long to be vexed with Cousin Monica.
'You know, my dear, your father is an oddity,' she said.

'I don't mind him--I never did.

You must not.

Cracky, my dear, cracky--decidedly cracky!' And she tapped the corner of her forehead, with a look so sly and comical, that I think I should have laughed, if the sentiment had not been so awfully irreverent.
'Well, dear, how is our friend the milliner ?' 'Madame is suffering so much from pain in her ear, that she says it would be quite impossible to have the honour--' 'Honour--fiddle! I want to see what the woman's like.

Pain in her ear, you say?
Poor thing! Well, dear, I think I can cure that in five minutes.