Щоденник незначної особи

           April14.—Spentthewholeoftheafternooninthegarden,havingthismorningpickedupatabookstallforfivepenceacapitallittlebook,ingoodcondition,onGardening.Iprocuredandsowedsomehalf-hardyannualsinwhatIfancywillbeawarm,sunnyborder.Ithoughtofajoke,andcalledoutCarrie.Carriecameoutrathertesty,Ithought.Isaid:“Ihavejustdiscoveredwehavegotalodging-house.”Shereplied:“Howdoyoumean?”Isaid:“Lookattheboarders.”Carriesaid:“Isthatallyouwantedmefor?”Isaid:“Anyothertimeyouwouldhavelaughedatmylittlepleasantry.”Carriesaid:“Certainly—atanyothertime,butnotwhenIambusyinthehouse.”Thestairslookedverynice.Gowingcalled,andsaidthestairslookedallright,butitmadethebanisterslookallwrong,andsuggestedacoatofpaintonthemalso,whichCarriequiteagreedwith.IwalkedroundtoPutley,andfortunatelyhewasout,soIhadagoodexcusetoletthebanistersslide.By-the-by,thatisratherfunny.

           April15,Sunday.—Atthreeo’clockCummingsandGowingcalledforagoodlongwalkoverHampsteadandFinchley,andbroughtwiththemafriendnamedStillbrook.Wewalkedandchattedtogether,exceptStillbrook,whowasalwaysafewyardsbehindusstaringatthegroundandcuttingatthegrasswithhisstick.

           Asitwasgettingonforfive,wefourheldaconsultation,andGowingsuggestedthatweshouldmakefor“TheCowandHedge”andgetsometea.Stillbrooksaid:“Abrandy-and-sodawasgoodenoughforhim.