 to go, and
went so far as to order a new bonnet for the occasion: but when the time came
she had a bad cold; so they sent her a very polite account of what they had
done. Chosen a director, I think it was. Do you think they want me to help them
to choose a director? I am sure I should choose your father at once.«
    »My father has no shares in the bank,« said I.
    »Oh, no! I remember. He objected very much to Deborah's buying any, I
believe. But she was quite the woman of business, and always judged for herself;
and here, you see, they have paid eight per cent. all these years.«
    It was a very uncomfortable subject to me, with my half-knowledge; so I
thought I would change the conversation, and I asked at what time she thought we
had better go and see the fashions. »Well, my dear,« she said, »the thing is
this: it is not etiquette to go till after twelve; but then, you see, all
Cranford will be there, and one does not like to be too curious about dress and
trimmings and caps with all the world looking on. It is never genteel to be
over-curious on these occasions. Deborah had the knack of always looking as if
the latest fashion was nothing new to her; a manner she had caught from Lady
Arley, who did see all the new modes in London, you know. So I thought we would
just slip down this morning, soon after breakfast - for I do want half-a-pound
of tea - and then we could go up and examine the things at our leisure, and see
exactly how my new silk gown must be made; and then, after twelve, we could go
with our minds disengaged, and free from thoughts of dress.«
    We began to talk of Miss Matty's new silk gown. I discovered that it would
be really the first time in her life that she had had to choose anything of
consequence for herself: for Miss Jenkyns had always been the more decided
character, whatever her taste might have been; and it is astonishing how such
people carry the world before them by the mere force of will. Miss Matty
anticipated the sight of the glossy folds with as much delight as if the five
sovereigns, set apart for the purchase, could buy all the silks in the shop; and
(remembering my own loss of two hours in a toyshop before I could tell
