That pet phrase of Lady B's never fails to tickle me, perhaps because it reminds me somewhat of a great-aunt who seldom made a statement without including the phrase "Doncha know."

Mrs. Norris, on the other hand, never fails to annoy, not only by what she says, but by the way she says it. I'm referring to her horribly irritating habit of repeating every thing she says three or four times before she stops.

For instance, here's this passage from Ch.32: "Stay, stay, Fanny! What are you about? Where are you going? Don't be in such a hurry. Depend upon it, it is not you who are wanted; depend upon it, it is me, but you are so very eager to put yourself forward. What should Sir Thomas want you for? It is me, Baddeley, you mean; I am coming this moment. You mean me, Baddeley, I am sure; Sir Thomas wants me, not Miss Price."

Oh, for a large piece of duct tape!