Claudia to the Rescue

Let me not now ungenerously condemn
My few good deeds on impulse--half unwise
And scarce approved by reason's colder eyes;
I will not blame, nor weakly blush for them;
The feelings and the actions then stood right;
And if regret, for half a moment sighs
That worldly wisdom in its keener sight
Had ordered matters so and so, my heart,
Still, in its fervor loves a warmer part
Than Prudence wots of; while my faithful mind,
Heart's consort, also praises her for this;
And on our conscience little load I find
If sometimes we have helped another's bliss,
At some small cost of selfish loss behind.

--M.F. Tupper.

As Ishmael left the village by the eastern arm of the road a gay
sleighing party dashed into it from the western one. Horses prancing,
bells ringing, veils flying, and voices chattering, they drew up before
Hamlin's shop. The party consisted of Mr. Middleton, his wife, and his
niece.

Mr. Middleton gave the reins to his wife and got out and went into the
shop to make a few purchases.

When his parcels had been made up and paid for, he turned to leave the
shop; but then, as if suddenly recollecting something, he looked back
and inquired: "By the way, Hamlin, have those Histories come yet?"

"No, sir; but I shall write for them again by this evening's mail; I
cannot think what has delayed them. However, sir, there is one copy that
I can let you have, if that will be of any service."