I drove Abby to Nahant with me, while Mr. Brooks and Mrs. Davis came on in a Carriage. Found a good deal of Company collected there. Among the rest Mrs. Dexter, the wife of Mr. Sam. Dexter of ancient memory.
1 She seems a remarkable woman. Also the Miss Crowninshields and Mr. and Mrs. Silsbee and daughter
2 with many others too numerous to mention. The day passed pleasantly. Abby pleased me and displeased me. The fault lies so little with her, I cannot blame her; it is in the school she has been educated in, which is not a standard of refinement. Notwithstanding, I was gratified by her general conduct and in one particular instance also. But the day gave me room for much reflection. We did not reach Medford until quite late.
{p. 160}