ch Katy, than be made such a slave as I am now. I am sure Katy's life
is an easy one compared to mine.

_Adelaide, smiling._ Consider it not so deeply.

_Rosalind._ Yes, I will, for I am out of patience. I wish it was the
fashion to be ignorant.

_Adelaide._ Fortunately it is _not_. To say nothing of the disgrace of
being ignorant when it is known we have had opportunities of acquiring
knowledge, persons whose minds are vacant, have but few enjoyments. For
instance, as Josephine knows nothing of music, it gives her no pleasure
to hear the finest singing and playing, even such as Mrs. Mortlake's. As
she has no idea of drawing, she takes not the least delight in looking
at beautiful pictures. Having never been in the habit of reading, she
wonders how it is possible to be amused with a book; and as she has no
knowledge of history or geography, she often, when she _does_ read, is
puzzled with allusions to those subjects; and a French word is as
unintelligible to her, as if it were Greek. Plants and animals do not
interest her, because she has scarcely an idea of the properties or
attributes of any of the productions of Nature. And what is worse than
all, she takes no pleasure in listening to the conversation of sensible
people, because she is incapable of understanding it: her comprehension
being only equal to the most frivolous topics.

_Rosalind._ Notwithstanding all this, her life passes calmly and
pleasantly; and I am sure she is much happier than we are.

_Adelaide._ Speak for yourself, dear Rosalind. For my part, I do not
wish to be more happy than I am.

_Rosalind._ Well, I thought so too, till I knew Josephine. And she is by
no means so dull as you suppose.

_Adelaide._ Perhaps she is not naturally stupid; but indulgence and
indolence have so benumbed her understanding, that it seems now
incapable of the smallest effort.

At this moment Mrs. Mortlake came down with a book in her hand, for the
afternoon reading.

"Rosalind," said she, "as my room is over the porch, and the windows are
open, I could not avoid hearing all you have just been saying,
particularly as you spoke very loudly. As I do not wish to see either of
my pupils _unhappy_, I will gratify your desire, and both you and
Adelaide (if it is also her wish) may pass a week entirely without
occupation; in short, a week of idleness."

_Adelaide._ O no, dear Mrs. Mortlake: I have no desire to avail myself
of your offer. I would much rather continue