"What will you do with yourself, papa?" Dolly said to him the next
morning.
"Do with myself?"
"What employment will you take in hand? One has to think of that, and to
live accordingly. If you would like to turn farmer, we must live in the
country."
"Certainly I shall not do that. I need not absolutely throw away what
money I have saved."
"Or if you were fond of shooting or hunting?"
"You know very well I never shot a bird, and hardly ever crossed a horse
in my life."
"But you are fond of gardening."
"Haven't I got garden enough here?"
"Quite enough, if you think so; but will there be occupation sufficient
in that to find you employment for all your life?"
"I shall read."
"It seems to me," she said, "that reading becomes wearisome as an only
pursuit, unless you've made yourself accustomed to it."
"Sha'n't I have as much employment as you?"
"A woman is so different! Darning will get through an unlimited number
of hours. A new set of underclothing will occupy me for a fortnight.
Turning the big girl's dresses over there into frocks for the little
girls is sufficient to keep my mind in employment for a month. Then I
have the maid-servants to look after, and to guard against their lovers.
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