Chapter 15
Wewokelatethenextmorning,and,atHarris’searnestdesire,partookofaplainbreakfast,with"nondainties." Thenwecleanedup,andputeverythingstraight(acontinuallabour,whichwasbeginningtoaffordmeaprettyclearinsightintoaquestionthathadoftenposedme—namely,howawomanwiththeworkofonlyonehouseonherhandsmanagestopassawayhertime),and,ataboutten,setoutonwhatwehaddeterminedshouldbeagoodday’sjourney.
Weagreedthatwewouldpullthismorning,asachangefromtowing;andHarristhoughtthebestarrangementwouldbethatGeorgeandIshouldscull,andhesteer. Ididnotchimeinwiththisideaatall;IsaidIthoughtHarriswouldhavebeenshowingamoreproperspiritifhehadsuggestedthatheandGeorgeshouldwork,andletmerestabit. ItseemedtomethatIwasdoingmorethanmyfairshareoftheworkonthistrip,andIwasbeginningtofeelstronglyonthesubject.
ItalwaysdoesseemtomethatIamdoingmoreworkthanIshoulddo. ItisnotthatIobjecttothework,mindyou; Ilikework:itfascinatesme. Icansitandlookatitforhours. Ilovetokeepitbyme:theideaofgettingridofitnearlybreaksmyheart.
Youcannotgivemetoomuchwork;toaccumulateworkhasalmostbecomeapassionwithme:mystudyissofullofitnow,thatthereishardlyaninchofroomforanymore. Ishallhavetothrowoutawingsoon.
AndIamcarefulofmywork,too.