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Paraphrase
Julia:
But I wish I had read the letter.
Now it would be improper to ask Lucetta to return and beg her to
show me the letter for which I scolded her.
What kind of simpleton is she that knows I am a woman and didn’t
make me read the letter against my will, when women, from a sense of
pride, reply ‘no’ to that
which they want interpreted as ‘yes’.
Oh for shame. How changeable is this silly affection, which like
an irritable child, will hurt the one who nourishes it and after a short
time give affection to the stick that would punish it.
How rudely I drove Lucetta away with harsh words when I would
have volunteered to have her stay.
How like a grouch I instructed my forehead to fold in lines of
severity when secret happiness forced my heart to grin contently.
My punishment, to erase my sin, is to bid Lucetta to return and
ask forgiveness for the stupidity I showed earlier.
Yoo hoo, Lucetta.
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