I remember well the
intense suspense in which she and I awaited the answer from Bartram-Haugh
to kind Cousin Monica's application for an extension of our leave of
absence.
It came, and with it a note from Uncle Silas, which was curious, and,
therefore, is printed here:--
'MY DEAR LADY KNOLLYS,--To your kind letter I say yes (that is, for another
week, not a fortnight), with all my heart. I am glad to hear that my
starlings chatter so pleasantly; at all events the refrain is not that of
Sterne's. They can get out; and do get out; and shall get out as much as
they please. I am no gaoler, and shut up nobody but myself. I have always
thought that young people have too little liberty. My principle has been
to make little free men and women of them from the first. In morals,
altogether--in intellect, more than we allow--_self_-education is that
which abides; and _it_ only begins where constraint ends. Such is my
theory. My practice is consistent. Let them remain for a week longer, as
you say. The horses shall be at Elverston on Tuesday, the 7th. I shall be
more than usually sad and solitary till their return; so pray, I selfishly
entreat, do not extend their absence.
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