make me cry; but I believe it was
thinking wrong made me guilty of these faults; for I don't find I am
ill-natured; for now I have been taught to consider that my companions
can feel as well as myself, I am sorry for their pain, and glad when
they are pleased, and would be glad to do anything to oblige them.'

Here Miss Henny ceased, and Miss Jenny Peace then told her how glad she
was to hear that she had subdued all malice in her mind, adding, 'These
weeds, my dear, unless early plucked up, are (as I have heard our good
governess observe upon a like occasion) very apt to take such deep root,
as to choke every good seed around them; and then who can tell whether,
with the same opportunities, they might not become Lady Brumptons before
the end of their lives?'

Little Polly Suckling remembered that all the company had told the story
of their past lives, except herself; and she thought she would not be
left out; but yet she had a mind to be asked to tell it, hoping that her
companions thought her of consequence enough not to leave her out of
any scheme; therefore, addressing herself to Miss Jenny, she said she
thought it was very pleasant to hear anybody tell the history of their
own lives. Miss Jenny saw her meaning, and answered, 'So it is, my
little dear; and now, if you please, you shall oblige us with relating
the history of yours.' Polly smiled at this request, and said she was
ready to comply.

THE DESCRIPTION OF MISS POLLY SUCKLING.

Miss Polly Suckling was just turned of eight years old, but so short
of her age, that few people took her to be above five. It was not a
dwarfish shortness; for she had the most exact proportioned limbs in
the world, very small bones, and was as fat as a little cherub. She was
extremely fair, and her hair quite flaxen. Her eyes a perfect blue, her
mouth small, and her lips quite plump and red. She had the freshness
of a milkmaid; and when she smiled and laughed, she seemed to show an
hundred agreeable dimples. She was, in short, the very picture of health
and good-humour, and was the plaything and general favorite of the whole
school.

THE LIFE OF MISS POLLY SUCKLING.

'Now,' said little Polly, 'I will tell you all my whole history. I
hardly remember anything before I came to school, for I was but five
years old when I was brought hither.

'All I know is, that I don't love quarrelling, for I like better to
live in peace and quietness. But I have been always less