O! said Phebe Talkative, one day to Nancy Diligent, I wish I had
finished my work――what a long seam this is, I think I never shall have
done. Nancy told her she wished she would not talk so, for she had as
much work to do as herself, and talking only hindered them both. Phebe
told her she thought it very hard if they might not talk; but, if
she would not speak, she would get somebody else. She then turned to
the little girl who sat on the other side; in so doing, she lost her
needle: she was then obliged to get up and look it, and off dropped
her thimble. Dear heart, said she, my things are always so tiresome,
I wonder what business my needle had to drop; I do not see that other
people’s needles and thimbles fall. Thus she kept talking on, and it
was some time before she had again taken her seat, and got to work.
Presently she observed that Nancy Diligent was not in her place; and,
when she came back to it, she said, this is you who would not speak;
but I see you can leave your place and walk about as well as other
girls. Nancy told her that she had only been to have her work fixed,
as she had done her seam. Phebe was now a little ashamed. Whether
she minded better in future, I do not know; but certain I am, that
if people would observe, that the inconveniencies they meet with are
chiefly owing to their own carelessness, they might do a great deal
better, and be a great deal happier.
Whate’er thy duty bids thee do,
“Do it with all thy might;”
They who this simple path pursue,
And they, alone, are right.