Page:The Poor Rich Man, and the Rich Poor Man.djvu/88

80 must avoid all unnecessary expenses. But what keeps the dinner, my dear?"

"I am sure I don't know, my dear; I have been out making visits all the morning. Servants are good for nothing now-a-days—always trifling away their time."

"What ails Sabina Jane? seems to me she does nothing but bawl."

Mrs. Finley opened the door to inquire, and in rushed a pale little girl, with a bit of plum-cake in her hand.

"Take care, Judy," said the mother, picking up the crumbs the child profusely scattered; "you should not let Sabina Jane come into the parlour—it's no place for children."

"She would come, ma'am."

"Oh, Sabina Jane, my darling, go back to the nursery, that's a good child."

"I won't, I won't."

Mrs. Finley, in a low voice to the nurse—"Coax her, Judy—tell her you'll take her out to walk."

"I can't take her out, ma'am—my foot is lame."

"Oh, only just take her so, to pacify her. Stop, Sabina Jane, and listen to mother; Sabina Jane shall go out walking in Broadway, and have on her pretty velvet cap, and her cloak, all trimmed with pink—there, that's a good girl! now she'll go with Judy. Get out her things, Judy—make her look like a little beauty!"

The little dupe returned to the nursery, and in two minutes was bawling louder than ever, having been quieted just that time by her mover's precious lesson in lying and vanity.