Щоденник незначної особи

           —Carriesaid:“Ishouldliketosendmothertheinvitationtolookat.”Iconsented,assoonasIhadansweredit.ItoldMr.Perkupp,attheoffice,withafeelingofpride,thatwehadreceivedaninvitationtotheMansionHouse;andhesaid,tomyastonishment,thathehimselfgaveinmynametotheLordMayor’ssecretary.Ifeltthisratherdiscountedthevalueoftheinvitation,butIthankedhim;andinreplytome,hedescribedhowIwastoanswerit.Ifeltthereplywastoosimple;butofcourseMr.Perkuppknowsbest.

           May2.—Sentmydress-coatandtrouserstothelittletailor’sroundthecorner,tohavethecreasestakenout.ToldGowingnottocallnextMonday,asweweregoingtotheMansionHouse.SentsimilarnotetoCummings.

           May3.—CarriewenttoMrs.James,atSutton,toconsultaboutherdressfornextMonday.WhilespeakingincidentallytoSpotch,oneofourheadclerks,abouttheMansionHouse,hesaid:“Oh,I’masked,butdon’tthinkIshallgo.”WhenavulgarmanlikeSpotchisasked,Ifeelmyinvitationisconsiderablydiscounted.Intheevening,whileIwasout,thelittletailorbroughtroundmycoatandtrousers,andbecauseSarahhadnotashillingtopayforthepressing,hetookthemawayagain.

           May4.—Carrie’smotherreturnedtheLordMayor’sinvitation,whichwassenttohertolookat,withapologiesforhavingupsetaglassofportoverit.Iwastooangrytosayanything.

           May5.—Boughtapairoflavenderkid-glovesfornextMonday,andtwowhiteties,incaseonegotspoiledinthetying.