Notes

HE was very reluctant to take precedence of so many
respected members of the family, by beginning the round of
stories they were to relate as they sat in a goodly circle by
the Christmas fire; and he modestly suggested that it would
be more correct if “John our esteemed host” (whose health
he begged to drink) would have the kindness to begin. For as
to himself, he said, he was so little used to lead the way that
really—— But as they all cried out here, that he must begin,
and agreed with one voice that he might, could, would, and
should begin, he left off rubbing his hands, and took his legs
out from under his arm-chair, and did begin.
I have no doubt (said the poor relation) that I shall
surprise the assembled members of our family, and
particularly John our esteemed host to whom we are so much
indebted for the great hospitality with which he has this day
entertained us, by the confession I am going to make. But, if
you do me the honour to be surprised at anything that falls
from a person so unimportant in the family as I am, I can
only say that I shall be scrupulously accurate in all I relate.
I am not what I am supposed to be. I am quite another
thing. Perhaps before I go further, I had better glance at what
I am supposed to be.
It is supposed, unless I mistake—the assembled
members of our family will correct me if I do, which is very
likely (here the poor relation looked mildly about him for
contradiction); that I am nobody’s enemy but my own. That I
never met with any particular success in anything. That I
failed in business because I was unbusiness-like and
credulous—in not being prepared for the interested designs
of my partner. That I failed in love, because I was