Mrs. Teachum, in the morning, inquired how her scholars did after
their walk, and was pleased to hear they were all very well. They then
performed their several tasks with much cheerfulness; and, after the
school-hours, they were hastening, as usual, to their arbour, when Miss
Jenny desired them all to go thither without her, and she would soon
follow them; which they readily consented to; but begged her not to
deprive them long of the pleasure of her sweet company.
Miss Jenny then went directly into her governess’s parlour, and told her
that she had some thoughts of reading to her companions a fairy tale,
which was also given her by her mamma; and though it was not in such a
pompous style, nor so full of wonderful images, as the giant-story;
yet she would not venture to read anything of that kind without her
permission; but, as she had not absolutely condemned all that sort
of writing, she hoped she was not guilty of a fault in asking that
permission. Mrs. Teachum, with a gracious smile, told her, that she
seemed so thoroughly well to understand the whole force of her Monday
night’s discourse to her, that she might be trusted almost in anything;
and desired her to go and follow her own judgment and inclinations in
the amusement of her happy friends. Miss Jenny, overjoyed with this kind
condescension in her governess, thanked her, with, a low courtesy, and
said, she hoped she should never do anything unworthy of the confidence
reposed on her; and, hastening to the arbour, she there found all her
little companions quite impatient of this short absence.
Miss Jenny told them, that she had by her a fairy-tale, which, if they
liked it, she would read; and, as it had pleased her, she did not doubt
but it would give them equal pleasure.
It was the custom now so much amongst them to assent to any proposal
that came from Miss Jenny, that they all with one voice desired her
to read it; till Miss Polly Suckling said, ‘that although she was very
unwilling to contradict anything Miss Jenny liked, yet she could not
help saying, she thought it would be better if they were to read some
true history, from which they might learn something; for she thought
fairy-tales were fit only for little children.
Miss Jenny could not help smiling at such an objection’s coming from
the little dumpling, who was not much above seven years of age; and then
said, ‘I will tell you a story, my little Polly, of what happened to me
whilst I was at home.
‘There came into our village, when I was six years old, a man who
carried about a raree-show, which all the children of the parish were
fond of seeing; but I had taken it into my head, that it was beneath my
wisdom to see raree-shows; and therefore would not be persuaded to
join my companions to see this sight; and although I had as great an
inclination as any of them to see it, yet I avoided it, in order to
boast of my own great sense, in that I was above such trifles.
‘When my mamma asked me, why I would not see the show, when she had
given me leave? I drew up my head, and said, “Indeed I did not like
raree-shows. That I had been reading; and I thought that much more
worth my while, than to lose my time at such foolish entertainments.”
My mamma, who saw the cause of my refusing this amusement was only a
pretence of being wise, laughed, and said, “She herself had seen it,
and it was really very comical and diverting.” On hearing this, I was
heartily vexed to think I had denied myself a pleasure, which I fancied
was beneath me, when I found even my mamma was not above seeing it. This
in a great measure cured me of the folly of thinking myself above any
innocent amusement. And when I grew older, and more capable of hearing
reason, my mamma told me, “She had taken this method of laughing at me,
as laughing is the proper manner of treating affectation; which of all
things, she said, she would have me carefully avoid; otherwise, whenever
I was found out, I should become contemptible.”’
Here Miss Jenny ceased speaking; and Miss Polly Suckling, blushing that
she had made any objection to what Miss Jenny had proposed, begged her
to begin the fairy tale; when just at that instant, Mrs. Teachum, who
had been taking a walk in the garden, turned into the arbour to delight
herself with a view of her little school united in harmony and love, and
Miss Jenny, with great good humour, told her mistress the small contest
she had just had with Miss Polly about reading a fairy tale, and the
occasion of it. Mrs. Teachum kindly chucking the little dumpling under
the chin, said, she had so good an opinion of Miss Jenny, as to answer
for her, that she would read nothing to them but what was proper; and
added, that she herself would stay and hear this fairy tale which Miss
Jenny, on her commands, immediately began.