Page:Moral tales.pdf/3

 I have, from my youth, been accuſtomed to cleanlineſs, and it is quite a torment to me to be dirty ; yet, here will my unnatural daughter let me fit for hours and hours famiſhing with hunger. If I aſk her to make my bed, ſhe murmurs, and bids me go into the workhouſe. If ſhe ſweeps my room once in a week ſhe thinks ſhe does too much for me. When ſhe waſhes my linen, which is very ſeldom, ſhe grumbles the whole time. Now, my good lady, continued Betty Parker, theſe are hard things for a parent to bear; and I hope will forgive my being grieved with them, for I cannot help thinking of what I have in former days done for my daughter. I can truly ſay, I have been a tender mother to her, and it is very hard to be uſed in this manner by one whom I have nouriſhed at my breaſt. Many a night have I lain awake after a hard day's work to nurſe and tend her. Many a day have I ſlaved and coiled from morning to night, to get clothes to cover her, and victuals for her to eat ; nay, after her poor dear father died, I have often gone without a meal that I might be able to ſatisfy her hunger : and though I ſay it, ſhe always went neat and clean. It is very hard, indeed, Madam Andrews, it is very hard to be uſed ſo in my old age. Mrs. Andrews comforted the poor woman, by reminding her, that asſhe had, according to her own