Page:Traits and Trials.pdf/232

226 subdued. It was for her sake that her daughter was so anxious to get up. She soon found that the girl, employed by Sarah Wilmot, had more to do than she could well get through, and was both awkward and stupid in getting through with it. Fanny resolved to take all the preparations for breakfast on herself. She soon found her way to the kitchen, at first to old Sarah's great dismay, and not a little to her own embarrassment, but, after two or three failures, she succeeded to admiration. Henceforth her sister's bread and milk, and her mother's coffee, were made by herself.

With poor little Edith she had at first the greatest difficulty—she had been sadly spoilt. Her cruel misfortune had made it seem almost harsh ever to restrain her. The natural weakness of Mrs. Beaumont's temper had given way to every possible bad habit, rather than be at the trouble of correction, and of late the unfortunate child had been neglected in every way. Edith did not choose to get up, and Fanny neither