She is a little negligent of grammar at times,
and will get a wrong word now and then; she is garrulous, circumstantial,
associates facts by their accidental cohesion rather than by their vital
affinities, is given to choking and tears on slight occasions, but she
has a warm heart, and feels to her boarders as if they were her
blood-relations. She began her conversation abruptly.--I expect I'm a
going to lose one of my boarders,--she said.
--You don't seem very unhappy about it, madam,--I answered.---We all took
it easily when the person who sat on our side of the table quitted us in
such a hurry, but I do not think there is anybody left that either you or
the boarders want to get rid of--unless it is myself,--I added modestly.
--You! said the Landlady--you! No indeed. When I have a quiet boarder
that 's a small eater, I don't want to lose him. You don't make trouble,
you don't find fault with your vit--[Dr. Benjamin had schooled his parent
on this point and she altered the word] with your food, and you know when
you 've had enough.
--I really felt proud of this eulogy, which embraces the most desirable
excellences of a human being in the capacity of boarder.
The Landlady began again.--I'm going to lose--at least, I suppose I
shall--one of the best boarders I ever had,--that Lady that's been with
me so long.
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