Page:Original stories from real life 1796.pdf/104

Rh cold, whilſt ſhe huddled on ſome ill-choſen finery. In the ſame ſtyle, if a little party of pleaſure was propoſed, ſhe had to dreſs herſelf, and the hurry diſcompoſed her, and tired thoſe, who did not like to loſe time in anticipating a trifling amuſement.

A few hours after ſhe had left them, Mrs Maſon enquired of Mary, what effect this week’s experience had had on her mind? You are fond of ridicule, child, but ſeldom in the right place; real cauſe for it you let ſlip, and heed not the ſilent reproof that points at your own faults:—do not miſtake me, I would not have you laugh at—yet I wiſh you to feel, what is ridiculous, and learn to diſtinguiſh folly. Mrs. Dowdy's negligence ariſes from indolence; her mind is not employed about matters of importance; and, if it were, it would not be a ſufficient excuſe for her habitually neglecting an eſſential part of a man's as well as a woman's duty. I ſaid habitually; grief will often make thoſe careleſs, who, at other times, pay a proper attention to their perſon; and this neglect is a ſure Rh