Cranford

‘I must say, I don’t think they are by any means equal to Dr. Johnson.
Still, perhaps, the author is young. Let him persevere, and who knows
what he may become if he will take the great Doctor for his model.’ This
was evidently too much for Captain Brown to take placidly; and I saw the
words on the tip of his tongue before Miss Jenkyns had finished her
sentence.

‘It is quite a different sort of thing, my dear madam,’ he began.

[Illustration: ‘The account of the “swarry.”’]

‘I am quite aware of that,’ returned she. ‘And I make allowances,
Captain Brown.’

‘Just allow me to read you a scene out of this month’s number,’ pleaded
he. ‘I had it only this morning, and I don’t think the company can have
read it yet.’

‘As you please,’ said she, settling herself with an air of resignation.
He read the account of the ‘swarry’ which Sam Weller gave at Bath. Some
of us laughed heartily. I did not dare, because I was staying in the
house. Miss Jenkyns sat in patient gravity. When it was ended, she
turned to me, and said, with mild dignity—

‘Fetch me Rasselas, my dear, out of the book-room.’

When I brought it to her she turned to Captain Brown—

‘Now allow me to read you a scene, and then the present company can