I remarked that, once or twice when Mr.
Quinion was talking, he looked at Mr.Murdstone sideways, as if to make sure of his not being displeased; and that once when Mr.Passnidge (the other gentleman) was in high spirits, he trod upon his foot, and gave him a secret caution with his eyes, to observe Mr.Murdstone, who was sitting stern and silent.

Nor do I recollect that Mr.Murdstone laughed at all that day, except at the Sheffield joke--and that, by the by, was his own.
We went home early in the evening.

It was a very fine evening, and my mother and he had another stroll by the sweetbriar, while I was sent in to get my tea.

When he was gone, my mother asked me all about the day I had had, and what they had said and done.

I mentioned what they had said about her, and she laughed, and told me they were impudent fellows who talked nonsense--but I knew it pleased her.