With some surprise, Miss Damer, in looking over the themes, read the
following fable:
"One bleak, cold winter morning, an ass and her foals were loitering
upon the edge of a wild common; not a tree was to be seen, and scarcely
a bit of herbage for their breakfast to be found. 'This is a comfortless
life!' said the ass; 'the winds are chilly, the snow will soon fall, and
we have not a shed to cover us! What shall we do? for I fear we shall
be lost.' The ass turned her head, for she heard the tinkling of bells,
and saw a shepherd driving sheep from the common. 'Ah! a happy thought!
we will go to Farmer Killwell, and tell our sorrows unto him.' No sooner
said than done; they plodded through miry lanes, waded through shallow
brooks, and at length arrived at the farmer's gate. The tale was soon
told. The farmer pitied their piteous case; 'but,' said he, 'idleness
bringeth want. Exert yourselves, and you will find friends. Begin a
school at once; here are my poultry, my birds, and my young cattle to
teach: not a moment is to be lost.'--'It is a good thing to have a good
friend!' said the ass, as she stalked into the farm-yard. Here she
brayed with a most audible voice: 'Hearken to me, parents and little
ones!' she cried; 'I am come hither to inspire you all with wisdom.'
"The goose, as wise as a goose can be, stared at the speaker; tossed her
head on one side, gave a loud quack, and returned to comfort her
goslings, who were fluttering in every direction.
"'You little ducklings,' continued the ass, 'don't spread your feet so
vulgarly. Mrs. Turkey, I have long sighed for the honour of your
patronage: the charming little poults, I hope, will gain new beauties
from our exertions. Mrs. Barn-fowl, your chickens are too timid; we
shall soon teach them to hop with grace. As for these awkward maudlin
rabbits, I fear we cannot do any thing with them; and these ill-bred
creatures, Mrs. Sow's progeny, we cannot attempt to teach.' A sturdy
mastiff, who had followed the group of gazers, now barked furiously;
dispersed the poultry, pushed Mrs. Sow and her family into the mud; and,
spite of Farmer Killwell, drove the ass and her foals out of the
farm-yard. A little girl, who was witness to the hubbub, exclaimed, 'Ah!
this is excellent! Mrs. Adair has borrowed a garment from the ass, to
teach simple ones wisdom; but she will never teach little girls to love
new rules.'"
"Where is the moral to your fable?" asked Miss Damer, with some degree
of anger.
"I never thought of the moral; of what use would it be to my theme?"
returned Miss Bruce.
"And of what use is any theme or fable without a moral? But I wish to
know your motive for writing this ridiculous piece."
"To vex Mrs. Adair, certainly, because she won't let me go to my Aunt's
on Thursday."
"And do you really think that it is in your power to vex Mrs. Adair with
this trifling nonsense? You may be assured of this, Miss Bruce, the only
notice she will take of this childish, insignificant fable, will be to
make you read it to the ladies."
"I won't be talked to in this way, though you are my monitress. I will
write what I please;" so saying, she snatched the slate from Miss Damer,
and in haste rubbed off the words.
"The wisest thing you could do," said Miss Damer. "Now sit down, and
reflect seriously upon your conduct, and then tell me whether you feel
quite satisfied with yourself, or whether you are grateful to Mrs. Adair
for her care of you, and attention to you. You are the only little girl
who has not a mamma: who would be so indulgent, so tender to you, as
Mrs. Adair?"
At these words Miss Bruce sobbed violently; but her sorrow was of short
duration: "You would vex any thing, Miss Damer, with talking so
quietly. I like people to be angry with me, and then I can be angry
myself."
"My dear, I shall not listen to you, so I advise you to cease talking:
it is my plan never to argue with unruly little girls. Come, Miss Grey,
and Isabella; we will go into the play-ground."
Isabella whispered to Miss Bruce as she passed her; "do, dear Miss
Bruce, be good. Why should you vex Miss Damer when she is so kind to
you?" Miss Bruce pushed her companion's hand from her shoulder, and
turned her face to the wall, and there they found her on their return.
When the bell rang for prayers, Miss Bruce sprang across the room to
Miss Damer, who was seated, talking to Miss Arden, and throwing her
arms round her neck, she exclaimed, "You must indeed forgive me; I
cannot sleep unless you say, 'good night.'"
Miss Damer turned round, and kissed her: "Now, my dear, I hope you will
never offend me again."
"Oh, Miss Damer! I will love you for ever, for forgiving me so soon."
The bell rang, and she hastened out of the room.
"Should you not have been a little more stern?" said Miss Arden.
"My dear friend, ask yourself whether you could be so to a little girl
who has no mother."
Tears started into Miss Arden's eyes. "I did not think of that."