rous of winding along the banks of the river, as
far as the church, that she might see the fine new monument raised to
the memory of Lady Modish. Her sisters insisted on going to the next
village, as they wanted to buy muslin for a doll's frock. After some
little altercation on each side Caroline, with affectionate
condescension, gave way to her sisters' inclination, though, as eldest,
she had the right of choice, saying she could see the monument another
time. I thought her conduct deserved a reward; therefore, after
purchasing the articles her sisters wanted, I indulged her by extending
our walk to the church.

'_Tuesday._--George came running in out of breath to show me a
birds'-nest he had just taken. It belonged to the blackbirds that used
to amuse us with their song in the grove. "Alas! George, you have robbed
my favourite birds of their eggs. We shall no longer be charmed with
their warbling; they will droop, and perhaps die of grief."

'"The gardener told me where to find the nest. He lifted me up to take
it, and I thought there was no harm in it, as the young ones were not
hatched, and intended to make my sisters a present of the eggs."

'The young ladies cried out with one voice that they never could accept
a gift procured by such cruelty, and desired him to make haste and
replace it where he found it.

'At first he was reluctant to comply with this proposal, but after I had
convinced him of the affection of the old ones, even towards their eggs,
and the pains it had cost them to build the nest, he repented that he
had taken it, and was as desirous as any of us that it should be
returned to its former situation. He has now the satisfaction of daily
watching the solicitude and tenderness of the hen, which sits close, and
we hope will hatch in a few days.

'_Wednesday._--I was surprised on entering Lucy's apartment to hear her
command Betty in a very imperious tone to wash out all her doll's linen
immediately.

'The poor girl remonstrated that she had a great deal of business to do,
and should have no time; but that she would wash it the first
opportunity with pleasure. Lucy repeated her commands, and would receive
no excuse. When she saw me she blushed, conscious that her behaviour
would not meet my approbation. I sent Betty downstairs, and explained to
Lucy the impropriety of such conduct. "Gentleness to inferiors," said I,
"is the mark of a good understanding, as well as of a sweet disposition.
Servant