Page:Advice to young ladies on their duties and conduct in life - Arthur - 1849.djvu/95

Rh or nod of recognition on meeting, that a friend made some casual remarks about Emily.

“I know very little about her,” the lady replied, indifferently, “and that little has not prepossessed me much in her favor.”

“That’s strange,” returned the friend; “for a person with fewer faults, and more sterling qualities of mind and heart, than Emily R, is rarely met.”

“She has one fault that overshadows many good qualities,” said the lady, coldly.

“What is that?” was asked.

“The fault of being a tattler.”

“If she is freer from any one fault more than from another, it is that you name.”

“Perhaps you don't know her,” said the lady.

“Don’t know Emily R! If that was the case, I should almost begin to think I didn’t know myself. We have been like sisters for years.”

“Then you ought to know her.”

“I think so; and I know that she is not a tattler; and I must again express my wonder that you should have formed such an erroneous opinion in regard to her. From whom did you obtain it?”

“From a very good source, I believe. Ellen B warned me to be on my guard, and stated