CHAPTER XII.

EUNICE'S DIARY.

The air of London feels very heavy. There is a nasty smell of
smoke in London. There are too many people in London. They seem
to be mostly people in a hurry. The head of a country girl, when
she goes into the streets, turns giddy--I suppose through not
being used to the noise.

I do hope that it is London that has put me out of temper.
Otherwise, it must be I myself who am ill-tempered. I have not
yet been one whole day in the Staveleys' house, and they have
offended me already. I don't want Helena to hear of this from
other people, and then to ask me why I concealed it from her.
We are to read each other's journals when we are both at home
again. Let her see what I have to say for myself here.

There are seven Staveleys in all: Mr. and Mrs. (two); three young
Masters (five); two young Misses (seven). An eldest miss and
the second young Master are the only ones at home at the present
time.

Mr., Mrs., and Miss kissed me when I arrived. Young Master only
shook hands. He looked as if he would have liked to kiss me too.
Why shouldn't he? It wouldn't have mattered. I don't myself like
kissing. What is the use of it? Where is the pleasure of it?