"But a lady is not bound to know Latin, docthor."
"Certainly not, ma'am--nor any other language except that of the eyes."
Now, this was a wicked hit of the doctor's, for Mrs. Gubbins squinted frightfully; but Mrs. Gubbins did not know that, so she went on.
"The bump I mean, docthor, is motive something--motive--motive--I have it!--motive-_ness_."
"Now, I know what you mean," said the doctor; "amativeness."
"That's it," said Mrs. Gubbins; "they call it number one, sometimes; I suppose amativeness is Latin for number one. Now, what does that bump mean?"
"Ah, madam," said the doctor, puzzled for a moment to give an explanation; but in a few seconds he answered, "That's a beautiful provision of nature. That, ma'am, is the organ which makes your sex take compassion on ours."[28]
[28] This very ingenious answer was really given by an Irish professor to an over-inquisitive lady.
"Wonderful!" said Mrs. Gubbins; "but how good nature is in giving us provision! and I don't think there is a finer provision county in Ireland than this."
"Certainly not, ma'am," said the doctor;--but the moment Mrs. Gubbins began to speak of provisions, he was sure she would get into a very solid discourse about her own farms; so he left his seat beside her and went over to Mrs. Riley, to see what fun could be had in that quarter.
Her daughter was cutting all sorts of barefaced capers about the room, "astonishing the natives," as she was pleased to say; and Growling was looking on in amused wonder at this specimen of vulgar effrontery, whom he had christened "The Brazen Baggage" the first time he saw her.
"You are looking at my daughter, sir," said the delighted mother.
"Yes, ma'am," said the doctor, profoundly.
"She'll mend of that, ma'am. We were young once ourselves."
This was not very agreeable to the mother, who dressed rather in a juvenile style.
"I mean, sir, that you must excuse any little awkwardness about her--that all arises out of timidity--she was lost with bashfulness till I roused her out of it--but now I think she is beginning to have a little self-possession."
The doctor was amused, and took a large pinch of snuff; he enjoyed the phase "_beginning_ to have a _little_ self-possession" being applied to the most brazen baggage he ever saw.