m sure
it deserves to be framed and glazed, and it ought to be hung up in the
hall of every family, that all people may see the sad effects of pride,
and how little cause people have, because they are rich, to despise
those who are poor; since it frequently happens, that those who this
year are like little kings, may the next be beggars; and then they will
repent, when it is too late, of all their pride and unkindness they
showed to those beneath them.'

Here the conversation was put a stop to by the bell ringing, and John
being ordered to drive to the door. I, who during the whole of the
history had been feasting upon a mince-pie, now thought it safer to
conceal myself in a little hole in the wainscot of the closet, where,
finding myself very safe, I did not awake till midnight. After the
family were all retired to rest, I peeped out of the hole, and there saw
just such another frightful trap as that which was the prelude to
poor Softdown's sufferings. Startled at the sight, I retreated back as
expeditiously as possible, nor ever stopped till I found my way into a
bed-chamber, where lay two little girls fast asleep.

I looked about for some time, peeping into every hole and corner before
I could find any thing to eat, there being not so much as a candle in
the room with them. At last I crept into a little leathern trunk, which
stood on a table, not shut down quite close: here I instantly smelt
something good: but was obliged to gnaw through a great deal of linen
to get at it; it was wrapped up in a lap-bag, amongst a vast quantity of
work. However, I made my way through half a hundred folds, and at last
was amply repaid, by finding out a nice piece of plum-cake, and the pips
of an apple, which I could easily get at, one half of it having been eat
away. Whilst I was thus engaged I heard a cat mew, and not knowing how
near she might be, I endeavoured to jump out; but in the hurry I somehow
or other entangled myself in the muslin, and pulled that, trunk and all,
down with me; for the trunk stood half off the table, so that the least
touch in the world overset it, otherwise my weight could never have
tumbled it down.

The noise of the fall, however, waked the children, and I heard one say
to the other,--'Bless me! Mary, what is that noise?--What can it be? I
am almost frightened out of my wits; do, pray, sister, hug me close!'
'Pooh!' replied the other, 'never mind it! What in the world need you
be frightened at? What d