Her comfortable morning hood was put off, and she had on her head that ugly, stiff thing which ladies had lately taken to wearing, and which, Jael said, was called a "bonnet." Except on these two occasions, I had no opportunity of making any observations on the manners and customs of our neighbours.

Occasionally Mrs.Tod mentioned them in her social chatter, while laying the cloth; but it was always in the most cursory and trivial way, such as "Miss March having begged that the children might be kept quiet--Mrs.Tod hoped their noise didn't disturb ME?
but Mr.March was such a very fidgety gentleman--so particular in his dress, too--Why, Miss March had to iron his cravats with her own hands.

Besides, if there was a pin awry in her dress he did make such a fuss--and, really, such an active, busy young lady couldn't look always as if she came trim out of a band-box.

Mr.March wanted so much waiting on, he seemed to fancy he still had his big house in Wales, and his seven servants." Mrs.Tod conversed as if she took it for granted I was fully acquainted with all the prior history of her inmates, or any others that she mentioned--a habit peculiar to Enderley folk with strangers.

It was generally rather convenient, and it saved much listening; but in this case, I would rather have had it broken through.