pleasure of doing
good. She walked a little longer in the garden, enjoying the pleasing
reflection how happy she had made Marian, how grateful that little girl
had showed herself, and how pleased her sister would be to taste currant
jelly, which she had never seen before.

Miss Bella was enjoying the idea of the pleasure she should receive from
her future bounties to her new acquaintance, when she recollected that
she had some ribands and a necklace, which her mamma had given her a
little time before, but of which she now began to grow tired. Besides
these, she had some other old things to give her, which, though of no
use to herself, would make Marian quite fine.

The next morning Marian came into the garden again, and Miss Bella was
ready to receive her, with a tolerable good portion of gingerbread.
Indeed, this interview was continued every morning; and Miss Bella
always carried some dainties along with her. When her pocket failed
her, she would beg her mamma to supply her with something out of the
pantry, which was always cheerfully complied with.

One day, however, it happened that Bella received an answer which gave
her some uneasiness. She had been begging her mamma to advance her
something on her weekly allowance, in order to buy shoes and stockings
for Marian; to which her mamma gave her a flat denial, telling her, that
she wished she would be a little more sparing to her favourite, for
which she would give her a reason at dinner-time. Bella was a little
surprised at this answer, and every hour appeared an age till
dinner-time arrived.

At length they sat down to table, and dinner was half over before her
mamma said a word about Marian; but a dish of shrimps being then served
up, gave her mamma an opportunity of beginning the conversation. "I
think, Bella," said the lady, "this is your favourite dish." Bella
replied it was, and could not help observing, how happy she supposed
poor Marian would be to taste them, who she imagined had never so much
as seen any. With her mamma's leave, she begged two of the smallest, to
give to that little girl.

Mrs. Adams, for such was her mamma's name, seemed unwilling to grant her
request, urging, that she was afraid she would do her favourite more
mischief than good. "At present," said her mamma, "she eats her dry
brown bread with an appetite, and walks barefooted on the gravel without
complaining. Should you continue to feed her with dainties, and accustom
her to wear s