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home a considerable depth on one side, while on the other it was very narrow, After carefully measuring, it was found impossible to repair the damage, and a repetition of these blunders were so frequent, that at length it was concluded that they were incompetent.

Esther Kemp happened one morning to be at the Rectory, when a very nice muslin gown was sent home in this imperfect state, and she good-humouredly offered to take it to these young women, and shew them the error. At first, Miss Lascelles strongly opposed it, but her mamma, though kindness itself, thought the plan a good one, and the kind-hearted Esther went on her disagreeable commission. Miss Tiny and her sister were in their littered work-room; Miss Tiny twisting up bits of cuttings, in comical figures, and declaring that one of them was very like old Brownrigg, when Louisa exclaimed, “Why, here comes the straight forward Mrs. Kemp with a little parcel in her hand, measuring every step she takes. Tiny, will you go down and let her in ?"

No, that I won't,” said Tiny. So Louisa passed by, giving her sister a slap as she went. The quiet good-humoured mother was sitting below darning her husband's stockings, and rose meekly to welcome

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Mrs. Kemp, and hoped she was well, and Mr. Kemp and all her family, when she heard from them. Esther asked if the Miss Jennings's were at home.

Oh yes,” and she went to call them. Louisa, here is Mrs. Kemp called to see you. “ Oh yes, mother, I saw Mrs. Kemp coming up the serpent-twining walk. Good morning, madam,” said Miss Louisa, with one of her easy bends, “ beautiful weather," and she threw herself carelessly back with one arm hanging over a chair, the finger and thumb of the other hand placing a curl which had strayed too far on her really fair forehead. " You have been taking a pleasant stroll, I sup

“ I have not been far, only to the Rectory; and Miss Jennings, I have

; brought you this robe of the youngest Miss Lascelles, and a pattern, and a piece more muslin. You must be so good as to unpick it, for it will not do any way.

I shall be very willing to help you to alter it, and any thing I can do at any time I beg you will permit me." The fair brow of the lady lowered, the colour mounted to her cheek, she looked indignant, muttered a reluctant “ Thank ye,” with “Oh no, on no account; I was never brought up to study people's whims and fancies, was I, mamma? Papa never contra

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No, my dear,” said Mrs. Jennings, winking; “ but you must expect, Louie, that such gentle folks as Mrs. Lascelles should be particular. I have heard, I don't know that it is true, that Mrs. Lascelles's relations are lords and dukes. Do you know, madam ?” turning to Esther. She could only declare she did not, and sat with the work in her hand, waiting for Miss Jennings to receive it, which this young lady at length did most reluctantly, pulling it this way and that, saying she wondered what was the matter. Well now, Louie, my dear, do not put yourself in a flurry.” A flurry indeed, how odd you are, mother; it would puzzle Mrs. Lascelles to put me in a furry, I have been too much used to their whims." Poor Esther was really frightened, and could only continue offering her good services. But the frequent errors of Miss Jennings soon convinced Mrs. Lascelles she never could make mantuamakers of them, and their high spirits prevented their improvement: they could not receive reproof, they expected every one to come forward with some wonderful exertion of kindness, while they made no effort to deserve that kindness, and they were perpetually raving at the world, and

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saying, when they were in prosperity, how kind they were.

One day, when they were running on in this foolish strain, the father said, " Kind, aye, very kind to yourselves; I think Í never heard of any of you going to visit a sick neighbour, making any thing for the poor, like Mrs. Meredith; nice active

l young creature, there she is with her four children, with only a little girl to help her, always cheerful, and contriving to help others." Dear me,” said Miss Tiny, “I have been told that Mr. Stephen is as handy as a maid, knows exactly how long a piece of pork should be roasted, and commonly sees to the boiling of the potatoes.”

Suppose he does,” said the angry father,

“ nice young people walking hand in hand, helping one another, this is all right; every thing seems to go well with them--their pretty children, so happy and so gay, and their neat cottage so pretty, that all the gentry round come to draw it and put it on paper." mean to skitch it, pa," said Miss Tiny. “ No matter what I mean, I mean one thing, that they are very happy and contented, they get their own living and help their parents ; I mean that, miss.” Thus did these misguided uncomfortable people

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contrive continually to perplex and worry each other; never did they censure themselves, but most liberally did they condemn one another. The father blamed the children for his own misconduct; the children revolted, and thought themselves misused, and felt themselves unhappy ; nothing was right, nothing gave satisfaction; and at length Miss Tiny, going to a neighbouring fair, drinking tea with some slight acquaintance, got acquainted with a corporal of a marching regiment who had a good person, and was in favour with his captain ; and Miss Tiny thought he was in the road for a commission himself, and we think it very probable he held out something of the kind as an inducement to this ambitious young lady, for she was often heard talking of army, rank, &c. to which she had fixed no other idea than that it was something high, but she did not know what. However, the poor old folks never heard of it till the son-in-law came on the bridal morning to beg papa and mamma's blessing. He was a dashing looking fellow, and hope visited the bosom of the mother, though the poor father looked upon all the tale of promotion as mere deception, and said they had stuck another nail in his coffin.

Miss Louisa was now left alone with

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