one in the
afternoon
I had room in my heart for all , I am happy to say , and as far as I can remember , I kept praising each to the other in a manner which , if I had been an older man , living more amongst people of the world , I should have thought unwise , as well as a little ridiculous . It was unwise , certainly , as it was almost sure to cause disappointment if ever they did become acquainted ; and perhaps it was ridiculous , though I do not think we any of us thought it so at the time . The minister used to listen to my accounts of Mr Holdsworth 's many accomplishments and various adventures in travel with the truest interest , and most kindly good faith ; and Mr Holdsworth in return liked to hear about my visits to the farm , and description of my cousin 's life there -- liked it , I mean , as much as he liked anything that was merely narrative , without leading to action . So I went to the farm certainly , on an average , once a month during that autumn ; the course of life there was so peaceful and quiet , that I can only remember one small event , and that was one that I think I took more notice of than any one else : Phillis left off wearing the pinafores that had always been so obnoxious to me ; I do not know why they were banished , but on one of my visits I found them replaced by pretty linen aprons in the morning , and a black silk one in the afternoon . And the blue cotton gown became a brown stuff one as winter drew on ; this sounds like some book I once read , in which a migration from the blue bed to the brown was spoken of as a great family event . Towards Christmas my dear father came to see me , and to consult Mr Holdsworth about the improvement which has since been known as ` Manning 's driving wheel ' . Mr Holdsworth , as I think I have before said , had a very great regard for my father , who had been employed in the same great machine-shop in which Mr Holdsworth had served his apprenticeship ; and he and my father had many mutual jokes about one of these gentlemen-apprentices who used to set about his smith 's work in white wash-leather gloves , for fear of spoiling his hands .