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Fanny was very thankfulShe could not but own that she should
be very glad of a little tea, and Susan immediately set about making
it, as if pleased to have the employment all to herself; and with only
a little unnecessary bustle, and some few injudicious attempts at
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keeping her brothers in better order than she could, acquitted herself
very wellFanny?s spirit was as much refreshed as her body; her
head and heart were soon the better for such well-timed kindness
Susan had an open, sensible countenance; she was like William,
and Fanny hoped to find her like him in disposition and goodwill
towards herself
In this more placid state of things William reentered, followed
not far behind by his mother and BetseyHe, complete in his
lieutenant?s uniform, looking and moving all the taller, firmer, and
more graceful for it, and with the happiest smile over his face, walked
up directly to Fanny, who, rising from her seat, looked at him for a
moment in speechless admiration, and then threw her arms round
his neck to sob out her various emotions of pain and pleasure
Anxious not to appear unhappy, she soon recovered herself; and
wiping away her tears, was able to notice and admire all the striking
parts of his dress; listening with reviving spirits to his cheerful hopes
of being on shore some part of every day before they sailed, and
even of getting her to Spithead to see the sloop
The next bustle brought in MrCampbell, the surgeon of the
Thrush, a very well-behaved young man, who came to call for his
friend, and for whom there was with some contrivance found a chair,
and with some hasty washing of the young tea-maker?s, a cup and
saucer; and after another quarter of an hour of earnest talk between
the gentlemen, noise rising upon noise, and bustle upon bustle, men
and boys at last all in motion together, the moment came for setting
off; everything was ready, William took leave, and all of them were
gone; for the three boys, in spite of their mother?s entreaty, determined
to see their brother and MrCampbell to the sally-port; and
MrPrice walked off at the same time to carry back his neighbour?s
newspaper
Something like tranquillity might now be hoped for; and accordingly,
when Rebecca had been prevailed on to carry away the teathings,
and MrsPrice had walked about the room some time looking
for a shirt-sleeve, which Betsey at last hunted out from a drawer
in the kitchen, the small party of females were pretty well composed,
and the mother having lamented again over the impossibility
of getting Sam ready in time, was at leisure to think of her eldest
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daughter and the friends she had come from
A few inquiries began: but one of the earliest??How did sister
Bertram manage about her servants? ?Was she as much plagued as
herself to get tolerable servants???soon led her mind away from
Northamptonshire, and fixed it on her own domestic grievances, and
the shocking character of all the Portsmouth servants, of whom she
believed her own two were the very worst, engrossed her completely
The Bertrams were all forgotten in detailing the faults of Rebecca,
against whom Susan had also much to depose, and little Betsey a
great deal more, and who did seem so thoroughly without a single
recommendation, that Fanny could not help modestly presuming that
her mother meant to part with her when her year was up
?Her year!? cried MrsPrice; ?I am sure I hope I shall be rid of her
before she has staid a year, for that will not be up till November
Servants are come to such a pass, my dear, in Portsmouth, that it is
quite a miracle if one keeps them more than half a yearI have no
hope of ever being settled; and if I was to part with Rebecca, I should
only get something worseAnd yet I do not think I am a very difficult
mistress to please; and I am sure the place is easy enough, for there is
always a girl under her, and I often do half the work myself
Fanny was silent; but not from being convinced that there might
not be a remedy found for some of these evilsAs she now sat looking
at Betsey, she could not but think particularly of another sister,
a very pretty little girl, whom she had left there not much younger
when she went into Northamptonshire, who had died a few years
afterwardsThere had been something remarkably amiable about
herFanny in those early days had preferred her to Susan; and when
the news of her death had at last reached Mansfield, had for a short
time been quite afflictedThe sight of Betsey brought the image of
little Mary back again, but she would not have pained her mother
by alluding to her for the worl
