Mr Midshipman Easy Read Free Page A

of human nature.”
    â€œI have examined her,” replied the Doctor, “and can safely recommend her.”
    â€œThat examination is only preliminary to one more important,” replied Mr Easy. “I must examine her.”
    â€œExamine who, Mr Easy?” exclaimed his wife, who had lain down again on the bed.
    â€œThe nurse, my dear.”
    â€œExamine what, Mr Easy?” continued the lady.
    â€œHer head, my dear,” replied the husband. “I must ascertain what her propensities are.”
    â€œI think you had better leave her alone, Mr Easy. She comes this evening, and I shall question her pretty severely. Doctor Middleton, what do you know of this young person?”
    â€œI know, madam, that she is very healthy and strong or I should not have selected her.”
    â€œBut is her character good?”
    â€œReally, madam, I know little about her character; but you can make any inquiries you please. But at the same time I ought to observe, that if you are too particular in that point, you will have some difficulty in providing yourself.”
    â€œWell, I shall see,” replied Mrs Easy.
    â€œAnd I shall feel,” rejoined the husband.
    This parleying was interrupted by the arrival of the very person in question, who was announced by the housemaid, and was ushered in. She was a handsome, florid, healthy-looking girl, awkward and naive in her manner, and apparently not over wise; there was more of the dove than of the serpent in her composition.
    Mr Easy, who was very anxious to make his own discoveries, was the first who spoke. “Young woman, come this way, I wish to examine your head.”
    â€œOh! dear me, sir, it’s quite clean, I assure you,” cried the girl, dropping a curtsey.
    Doctor Middleton, who sat between the bed and Mr Easy’s chair, rubbed his hands and laughed.
    In the meantime, Mr Easy had untied the string and taken off the cap of the young woman, and was very busy putting his fingers through her hair, during which the face of the young woman expressed fear and astonishment.
    â€œI am glad to perceive that you have a large portion of benevolence.”
    â€œYes,” replied the young woman, dropping a curtsey.
    â€œAnd veneration also.”
    â€œThanky, sir.”
    â€œAnd the organ of modesty is strongly developed.”
    â€œYes, sir,” replied the girl with a smile.
    â€œThat’s quite a new organ,” thought Dr Middleton.
    â€œPhilo-progenitiveness very powerful.”
    â€œIf you please, sir, I don’t know what that is,” answered Sarah, with a curtsey.
    â€œNevertheless you have given us a practical illustration. Mrs Easy, I am satisfied. Have you any questions to ask? But it is quite unnecessary.”
    â€œTo be sure I have, Mr Easy. Pray, young woman, what is your name?”
    â€œSarah, if you please, ma’am.”
    â€œHow long have you been married?”
    â€œMarried, ma’am?”
    â€œYes, married.”
    â€œIf you please, ma’am, I had a misfortune, ma’am,” replied the girl, casting down her eyes.
    â€œWhat, have you not been married?”
    â€œNo, ma’am, not yet.”
    â€œGood heavens! Dr Middleton, what can you mean by bringing this person here?” exclaimed Mrs Easy. “Not a married woman, and she has a child!”
    â€œIf you please, ma’am,” interrupted the young woman, dropping a curtsey, “it was a very little one.”
    â€œA very little one!” exclaimed Mrs Easy.
    â€œYes, ma’am, very small, indeed, and died soon after it was born.”
    â€œOh, Dr Middleton!—what could you mean, Dr Middleton?”
    â€œMy dear madam,” exclaimed the Doctor, rising from his chair, “this is the only person that I could find suited to the wants of your child, and if you do not take her I cannot answer for its life. It is true, that a married woman might be procured; but married women, who have