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           Shereplieditwasmyownfaultforleavingthediaryaboutwithacharwomancleaningandthesweepsinthehouse.Isaidthatwasnotananswertomyquestion.Thisretortofmine,whichIthoughtextremelysmart,wouldhavebeenmoreeffectivehadInotjoggedmyelbowagainstavaseonatabletemporarilyplacedinthepassage,knockeditover,andsmashedit.

           Carriewasdreadfullyupsetatthisdisaster,foritwasoneofapairofvaseswhichcannotbematched,giventousonourwedding-daybyMrs.Burtsett,anoldfriendofCarrie’scousins,thePommertons,lateofDalston.IcalledtoSarah,andaskedheraboutthediary.Shesaidshehadnotbeeninthesitting-roomatall;afterthesweephadleft,Mrs.Birrell(thecharwoman)hadcleanedtheroomandlightedthefireherself.Findingaburntpieceofpaperinthegrate,Iexaminedit,andfounditwasapieceofmydiary.Soitwasevidentsomeonehadtornmydiarytolightthefire.IrequestedMrs.Birrelltobesenttometomorrow.

           October31.—Receivedaletterfromourprincipal,Mr.Perkupp,sayingthathethinksheknowsofaplaceatlastforourdearboyLupin.This,inameasure,consolesmeforthelossofaportionofmydiary;forIamboundtoconfessthelastfewweekshavebeendevotedtotherecordofdisappointinganswersreceivedfrompeopletowhomIhaveappliedforappointmentsforLupin.Mrs.Birrellcalled,and,inreplytome,said:“Sheneverseenobook,muchlesstakesuchalibertyastouchit.