se woman knew that the faculties of the
mind grow languid and useless, when the health of the body is lost.

As soon as they understood their governess's pleasure, they readily
resolved to obey her commands, and desired that, after school, they
might take a walk as far as the dairy house, to eat some curds and
cream. Mrs. Teachum not only granted their request, but said she would
dispense with their school-attendance that afternoon, in order to give
them more time for their walk, which was between two and three miles;
and she likewise added, that she herself would go with them. They all
flew like lightning to get their hats, and to equip themselves for their
walk; and, with cheerful countenances, attended Mrs. Teachum in the
schoolroom. This good gentlewoman, so far from laying them under a
restraint by her presence, encouraged them to run in the fields, and
to gather flowers; which they did, each miss trying to get the best
to present to her governess. In this agreeable manner, with laughing,
talking, and singing, they arrived at the dairy-house, before they
imagined they had walked a mile.

There lived at this dairy-house an old woman, near seventy years of age.
She had a fresh colour in her face; but was troubled with the palsy,
that made her head shake a little. She was bent forward with age, and
her hair was quite grey: but she retained much good-humour, and received
this little party with hearty welcome.

Our little gentry flocked about this good woman, asking her a thousand
questions. Miss Polly Suckling asked her, 'Why she shook her head so?'
and Miss Patty Lockit said, 'She hoped her hair would never be of such a
colour.'

Miss Jenny Peace was afraid they would say something that would offend
the old woman, and advised them to turn their discourse. 'Oh! let the
dear rogues alone,' says the old woman; 'I like their prattle;' and,
taking Miss Polly by the hand, said, 'Come, my dear, we will go into
the dairy, and skim the milk pans.' At which words they all run into the
dairy, and some of them dipped their fingers in the cream; which when
Mrs. Nelly perceived (who was the eldest daughter of the old woman,
and who managed all the affairs) she desired they would walk out of the
dairy, and she would bring them what was fit for them: upon which Miss
Dolly Friendly said, 'she had rather be as old and good-natured as the
mother, than as young and ill-natured as the daughter.'

The old woman desired her company to