Litchfield enquirer., 1831-07-28
MATERNAL INGENOTTY:

Don't you ihlnk my daughter Aephy- rina a very fine 6gure,' said Mrs. Long, the other evening to Mir. Short, as she was sitting beside him on the sofa, and Zephy- r'na was playing on the harp Mrs. Long had several daughters to dispose of, and MT. Short was bachelor we'll to do in the world. His temper was little grabbed, and his wit little sarcastic {; but Mrs. Long had daughters to marry, the eldest of whom, Zephyrina, was none of the young est. Her precise age we do not know ]; if we did, it would not be polite to mention it.
 Don't you think my daughter Zephy- rina is very fine figure 2 said Mrs. Long with glance of maternal satisfaction.
 Umrh 7 muitered MT. Short, as he tapped his snuff box for the third time, very much, like figure think !'
 "A figure 5!' said Mrs. Long, little mortified, though she knew the disposition of Me. Short.s s A figure 5. do you say Mr. short9 Oh, now you must be thinking of your interest table. Compare my daughter Zephyrina to figure 5 Fie, fie on you MT. Short ! you'll never get marri- ed as long as you live.'
 If l don't, it will be no fault of yours, Mrs. Long, said Mr. Short, as he threw a long pinch of snuff up his nose.
 True, true,' said Mrs. Long, with a look of great kindness, take an interest in the welfare of my ncighbors, and like to see all the single gentlemen provided for. Don't you think Zephyrina plays the harp and sings with great deal of taste 2
 think her execution is uncommon
 1 am glad you approve it, MT. Short
 J didn't say l approved it, Mrs. Long l merely said twas uncommon-very much like the noise of two cats in gu,,er.'
 o you shocking man Mr. Short. you've no taste, no feeling.'
 But l can hear very sensibly, Mrs. Long, putting his fingers in his ears.
 You've no music in your soul, as Hand- mill says.'
 That cursed noise has driven it all out
 Indeed, Zephyrina' s voiceis not exact- ly in tune to night; but I think she plays and sings remarkably well, for ono of her age, don't you, MT. Short?'
 Umph ay---for that matter, she is in- deed rather old to learn.'
 Old Mr. Short 2
 'Ay, madam, you know they learn these things much better in their younger days
 How old do you take my daughter Zephyrina to be MT. Short r
 Lord ma'am, how should | know? I wasn't at tue christening. But she's no chicken
 As true as I'm alive, Mr. Short, she is only nine-'
 And twenty, Mrs. Long? We'll, I'm mi a indUo of rhaeo r,.ossa.s b,4 sbo,,lJ say-'
 She looks ten years older than she rec ally is. She has very womanly look for one of her age-don't you think she has, MT. Short2
 Umph think she has some resem- bIance to a woman.'
 She was as forward at fifteen, though I say it, as most girls are at twenty-6ye.'
 hate your forward chits.'
 "A But you don't understand me, Mir. Short mean she was as forward in wo- manly accomplishments, and in womanly appearance.'
 Oh, as to the appearance, I could swear she had been a woman these dozen years.'
 Dancing was now proposed, and as MT. Short protested against shaking the foot even though Zephyrina was ready to be his partner, Mrs. Long still entertained hin with the accomplishments of her daughter
 Don't you admire Zephyrina's danc. ing?'
 l can't say that I am judge. of those small matters, Mrs. Long
 You're too modest, Mr. Short.'
 lisa rare fault, Mrs. Long,
 Observe with what grace she moves l really think she dances remarkably, fol one of her age, don't yoa think so Mr. Short 2
 Umph! think she dances much bet ter than an elephant. In fact, the elephGn, is very clumsy danc"r.'
 Fie, 6e on you! MT. Short, to com pare my daughter zophyrina to four leg ged beastess.'
 Why, that's not her fault, you know ma'am.'
 Whose fault7'
 sWhy, your daughter's that she wasn' made a beasiess too, as you call the ele' phant.'
 T hope no insinuations, Mir. Short ?
 Oh Lord no ma 'am, haven't an in' sinuating turn.' g
 Don't you think Zephyrina is just about the right height P
 T think she's rather Long,
 Do you indeed, MT. Short hope you don't think it an objection