ind as it is possible
to do; and I have heard, with my own ears, my mistress tell her of it
twenty and twenty times, but she will do so. I am sure it is a sad thing
that she should, for she will always make people dislike her. I am sure,
if young gentlemen and ladies did not know how it makes people love them
to speak civilly and kind, they would take great care not to behave like
Miss Mary. Do you know, the other day, when Mrs. Lime's maid brought
little Miss Peggy to see my mistress, when she went away, she made a
courtesy to Miss Mary, and said, "Good morning to you, Miss." And would
you think it, the child stood like a stake, and never returned it so
much as by a nod of the head, nor did she open her lips. I saw by her
looks the maid took notice of it, and I am sure I have such a regard for
the family, that I felt quite ashamed of her behaviour.' 'Oh! she served
me worse than that,' resumed Sally, 'for, would you believe it, the
other day I begged her to be so kind as to let her mamma know I wanted
to speak with her; and I did not choose to go into the room myself,
because I was dirty, and there was company there; but for all I desired
her over and over only just to step in (and she was at play close to the
door) yet, could you suppose it possible, she was ill-natured enough to
refuse me, and would not do it at last.' 'Well, if ever I heard the like
of that!' exclaimed John, whose pocket I had been in. 'I think that was
being cross indeed, and if a child of mine was to behave in that surly
manner, I would whip it to death almost. I abominate such unkind doings,
let everyone, I say, do as they like to be done by, and that is the only
way to be happy, and the only way to deserve to be so; for if folks will
not try to be kind, and oblige others, why should anybody try to please
them? And if Miss Mary was my girl, and chose to behave rude and cross
to the servants, if I was her papa, I would order them to refuse doing
anything for her. I would soon humble her pride I warrant you, for
nobody should make her puddings, or cut her bread, or do anything for
her till she learned to be kind, and civil, and thankful too, for all
that was done for her. I have no notion, for my part, for a child to
give herself such airs for nothing; and because her parents happen to
have a little more money in their pockets, for that reason to think she
may be rude to poor folks; but though servants are poor, still surely
they are richer than she