ever sends me such presents. Yes, once,
indeed, to do him justice, he sent me a present you would not
guess, if you were to try from morning till night. He goes to
school about two miles off, and the week before last, he sent me,
in the baker's cart, an ugly monkey: such a great creature. He
began clambering over the chairs and tables; so I sent it back,
with a letter, in which I told him, monkeys were not presents for
young ladies, and that he could better take care of his brother
than I could. Don't you think I was pretty severe upon him, Miss
Newman?

_Miss Newman._ Yes, indeed, I think you was. But, my dear girl,
you forget that you was just as severe upon yourself; for as you
are brother and sister, the monkey cannot be brother to one of
you, without being brother to the other.

_Miss Clark._ Miss Newman, I assure you I don't understand such
usage: I did not come here to be called names. I think my question
was not uncivil.

_Miss Newman._ And I think I answered you as civilly as I could,
Miss Smith, do you think I could have given a more civil answer?

_Miss Smith._ No, indeed, I do not.

_Miss Clark._ Well, ladies, I see you are all against me, so I had
better take my leave. Here Mrs. Bentley entering, put a stop to
Miss Clark's resolution, by proposing a game at forfeits, for she
readily consented to be of the party. I took the opportunity to
fall asleep, and when I awoke, the following letter was lying by
my cage.

My dear Brother,

I am so much obliged to you for your present, that I cannot
express my thanks: I believe I shall best be able to do that
when I see you. I had some young ladies to see me yesterday,
among them was Miss Huntley, who has begged me to write to
satisfy her curiosity. She would, therefore, take it as a
favour, if you would tell me where you got it; as it is very
like one she had, which made its escape. O, my dear brother,
I wish you was at home. I have so many things to say to you, I
don't know how to say them in letter; for, let people say what
they will, it is easier to talk than to write a letter; so
must conclude this, from

Your affectionate sister,

Louisa Bentley.

_CHAPTER VIII._

I shall pass over a few days, which I spent very comfortably, and
give you her brother's answer; for she took me out of my cage so
often, (seeing I was tame,) that I had frequent opportunities of
seeing and reading every thing I chose. It was as foll