Ladies in Waiting

Chapter 1 Miss Bates Bobs Her Hair

Miss Bates Bobs Her Hair ELINOR LIPMAN

“Oh! very well,” exclaimed Miss Bates; “then I need not be uneasy. ‘Three things very dull indeed.’ That will just do for me, you know. I shall be sure to say three dull things as soon ever I open my mouth, shan’t I?

—(looking round with the most good-humoured dependence on everybody’s assent)—Do not you all think I shall? ”

Emma could not resist.

“Ah! ma’am, but there may be a difficulty. Pardon me—but you will be limited as to number—only three at once.”

Miss Bates, deceived by the mock ceremony of her manner, did not immediately catch her meaning; but, when it burst on her, it could not anger, though a slight blush showed that it could pain her.

“Ah!—well—to be sure. Yes, I see what she means… and I will try to hold my tongue. I must make myself very disagreeable, or she would not have said such a thing to an old friend.”

Jane Austen, Emma