In fact, I considered myself the master at the breakfast-table; but, somehow, I could not command myself just then so well as usual.
The truth is, I had secured a passage to Liverpool in the steamer which was to leave at noon,--with the condition, however, of being released in case circumstances occurred to detain me.

The schoolmistress knew nothing about all this, of course, as yet.
It was on the Common that we were walking.

The MALL, or boulevard of our Common, you know, has various branches leading from it in different directions.

One of these runs down from opposite Joy Street southward across the whole length of the Common to Boylston Street.

We called it the long path, and were fond of it.
I felt very weak indeed (though of a tolerably robust habit) as we came opposite the head of this path on that morning.