Thursday 21st July 1811

Dear Diary,
I should really be making preparations for our visit to Queensland but I had to spend the morning ensuring all was fit for the arrival of Mrs Norris for luncheon. I called Harden in and excused him from garden duties and asked him to polish my knick-knacks. 
I thought it best that he kept his Dick concealed with in his breeches for the duration of Mrs Norris's visit and told him so. He was happy to comply.
Mrs Norris arrived shortly after twelve in her barouche, even though Thrushcock Grange is only a five minute stroll from door to door. 
She remained seated until I rushed out to help her down.
"And what do you think to my new bonnet, Wayne dear? I paid all of three shillings for it."
"It is indeed most fetching and the colour compliments your complexion a great deal." I lied. "And now, if you would permit me to show you my Knob End."
"It appears quite cosy Wayne, on first impressions," she remarked. "How many rooms do you have?"
"Suffice for my needs." I smiled and lead her in.
"Where is Woofter? I supposed he might have been here to greet his late Mistress," she bristled.
"He is at work in the schoolroom at Cobbler's Bottom. Did Mother not keep you abreast of all our news?"
"Oh yes, perhaps she did mention something of the sort," she conceded.
I perceived she was underwhelmed by my tour of the house and we retired to the parlour for cucumber sandwiches.
"Who is that fellow out there?" She waggled her fan in the direction of Harden Thicke.
"He is helping to tame the wilderness out there into something more pleasing upon the eye." 
He observed us watching him and pointing to his breeches, shook his head and shrugged to indicate something was amiss. I  felt a sudden chill pass down my spine.
Mrs Norris moved towards the chaise longue and turned to take her seat at the same instant I noticed Harden's Dick slinking along underneath it.
"Mrs Norris," I blurted, in distraction, "observe my 'Norma Stitts!'
"A pair?" She gasped and tried to conceal her vexation.
She removed her bonnet and made to sit down.
I almost squealed as I noticed the ferret moving along the same seat towards her descending posterior. I closed my eyes and anticipated the scream but when none came opened them to find her seated comfortably with her bonnet placed upon the seat at her side.
There was no sign of Harden's pet.
I offered her a cucumber sandwich and that is when I noticed her bonnet inch a little further along the seat.
I was wondering when this ordeal would end when Mrs Norris spoke.
" I fear the sky is threatening rain again, I think I should be off my dear, I should hate for this bonnet to be ruined. I spent all of three shillings upon it." 
She reached out and lifted it onto her head as I held my breath again. Harden's pet scurried off behind a cushion as she rose from the seat.
I followed her to the door and out to her waiting barouche. I helped her up the steps and once seated she looked down upon me and smiled.
"Thank you for your hospitality, dear. I insist you call upon me at Far Corfe when you return from your travels. Good day."
As the barouche departed I began to wave and then my eye was drawn to a slight movement upon her bonnet and there upon the brim sat the very rodent that I have hunted all this miserable week.
My waving suddenly became more effusive and jollier and I fairly skipped back into Knob End.