He would as soon have dared such familiarity with the minister's maiden sister, aged forty-two and prim as a Bible book-mark.

Gown and coiffure so strange and quaint, Features just lacking the prim of the saint, From the mischievous dimple that lurks below; High-heeled slippers and satin bow, Red lips mocking the heart's constraint, Free from passion, devoid of taint This was her grandmother years ago.

There seems to me something acutely ridiculous in the idea of myself standing here, so finely dressedof the boys, demure and prim in their tall hats and Sunday coats, gathered to see me marriedme of all people!

Then she picked up the tray, and, pushing the small table into its accustomed place with a deft twist of the foot, she sailed erect and prim out of the room, and the door primly clicked on her neat-girded waist and flying white ribbons.

The people were farmers and laborers, with a sprinkling of shopkeepers; the only "society" was that of the neighboring clergy, Tory and prim to an appalling extent.