Chapter 13

           December24.—Iamapoorman,butIwouldgladlygivetenshillingstofindoutwhosentmetheinsultingChristmascardIreceivedthismorning.Ineverinsultpeople;whyshouldtheyinsultme?Theworstpartofthetransactionis,thatIfindmyselfsuspectingallmyfriends.Thehandwritingontheenvelopeisevidentlydisguised,beingwrittenslopingthewrongway.IcannotthinkeitherGowingorCummingswoulddosuchameanthing.Lupindeniedallknowledgeofit,andIbelievehim;althoughIdisapproveofhislaughingandsympathisingwiththeoffender.Mr.Franchingwouldbeabovesuchanact;andIdon’tthinkanyoftheMutlarswoulddescendtosuchacourse.IwonderifPitt,thatimpudentclerkattheoffice,didit?OrMrs.Birrell,thecharwoman,orBurwin–Fosselton?Thewritingistoogoodfortheformer.

           CHRISTMASDAY.—Wecaughtthe10.20trainatPaddington,andspentapleasantdayatCarrie’smother’s.Thecountrywasquiteniceandpleasant,althoughtheroadsweresloppy.Wedinedinthemiddleoftheday,justtenofus,andtalkedoveroldtimes.Ifeverybodyhadanice,uninterferingmother-inlaw,suchasIhave,whatadealofhappinesstherewouldbeintheworld.Beingallingoodspirits,Iproposedherhealth,andImade,Ithink,averygoodspeech.

           Iconcluded,ratherneatly,bysaying:“Onanoccasionlikethis—whetherrelatives,friends,oracquaintances—weareallinspiredwithgoodfeelingstowardseachother.Weareofonemind,andthinkonlyofloveandfriendship.