Chapter 4

           Whatvainweather-cocksweare!I,whohaddeterminedtoholdmyselfindependentofallsocialintercourse,andthankedmystarsthat,atlength,Ihadlightedonaspotwhereitwasnexttoimpracticable—I,weakwretch,aftermaintainingtillduskastrugglewithlowspiritsandsolitude,wasfinallycompelledtostrikemycolours;and,underpretenceofgaininginformationconcerningthenecessitiesofmyestablishment,IdesiredMrs.Dean,whenshebroughtinsupper,tositdownwhileIateit;hopingsincerelyshewouldprovearegulargossip,andeitherrousemetoanimationorlullmetosleepbyhertalk.

           "Youhavelivedhereaconsiderabletime,"Icommenced;"didyounotsaysixteenyears?"

           "Eighteen,sir:Icame,whenthemistresswasmarried,towaitonher;aftershedied,themasterretainedmeforhishousekeeper."

           "Indeed."

           Thereensuedapause.Shewasnotagossip,Ifeared;unlessaboutherownaffairs,andthosecouldhardlyinterestme.However,havingstudiedforaninterval,withafistoneitherknee,andacloudofmeditationoverherruddycountenance,sheejaculated:"Ah,timesaregreatlychangedsincethen!"

           "Yes,"Iremarked,"you’veseenagoodmanyalterations,Isuppose?"

           "Ihave:andtroublestoo,"shesaid.