I soon perceived that he thought I needed considerable toning down before reaching England.

I was quick to see and understand that his criticisms of others in a general way and the drift of his discourses on manners and conversation had a nearer application than he intended I should discover, though he hoped I would profit by them.

I was always grateful to anyone who took an interest in my improvement, so I laughingly told him, one day, that he need not make his criticisms any longer in that roundabout way, but might take me squarely in hand and polish me up as speedily as possible.

Sitting in the saloon at night after a game of chess, in which, perchance, I had been the victor, I felt complacent and would sometimes say: "Well, what have I said or done to-day open to criticism ?" So, in the most gracious manner, he replied on one occasion: "You went to the masthead in a chair, which I think very unladylike.

I heard you call your husband 'Henry' in the presence of strangers, which is not permissible in polite society.