Page:Original stories from real life 1796.pdf/156

Rh CHAP. XXI.

The Benefit of bodily Pain.—Fortitude the Baſis of Virtue.—The Folly of Irreſolution.

HE children had been playing in the garden for ſome time, whilſt Mrs. Maſon was reading alone. But ſhe was ſuddenly alarmed by the cries of Caroline, who ran into the room in great diſtreſs. Mary quickly followed, and explaining the matter ſaid, that her ſiſter had accidentally diſturbed ſome waſps, who were terrified, and of courſe ſtung her. Remedies were applied to aſſuage the pain; yet all the time ſhe uttered the loudeſt and moſt ſilly complaints, regardleſſ of the uneaſineſs ſhe gave thoſe who were exerting themſelves to relieve her.

In a ſhort time the ſmart abated, and then her friend thus addreſſed her, with more than usual gravity. I am ſorry to ſee a girl of your age weep on account of bodily pain; it is a proof of a weak mind, a proof Rh