'I was so great a favourite, that I was never denied any thing I asked for; but I was very unhappy for the same reason that Miss Dolly Friendly's sister was so; and I have often sat down and cried, because I did not know what I would have, till at last I own I grew so peevish and humoursome, that I was always on the fret, and harboured in my mind a kind of malice that made me fancy whatever my brother got, I lost; and in this unhappy condition I lived, till I came to school, and here I found that other misses wanted to have their humours as well as myself.This I could not bear, because I had been used to have my own will, and never to trouble myself about what others felt.For whenever I beat or abused my brother, his pain did not make me cry; but I believe it was thinking wrong made me guilty of these faults; for I don't find I am ill-natured; for now I have been taught to consider that my companions can feel as well as myself, I am sorry for their pain, and glad when they are pleased, and would be glad to do anything to oblige them.'
Here Miss Henny ceased, and Miss Jenny Peace then told her how glad she was to hear that she had subdued all malice in her mind, adding, 'These weeds, my dear, unless early plucked up, are (as I have heard our good governess observe upon a like occasion) very apt to take such deep root, as to choke every good seed around them; and then who can tell whether, with the same opportunities, they might not become Lady Brumptons before the end of their lives?'
Little Polly Suckling remembered that all the company had told the story of their past lives, except herself; and she thought she would not be left out; but yet she had a mind to be asked to tell it, hoping that her companions thought her of consequence enough not to leave her out of any scheme; therefore, addressing herself to Miss Jenny, she said she thought it was very pleasant to hear anybody tell the history of their ownlives.Miss Jenny saw her meaning, and answered, 'So it is, my little dear; and now, if you please, you shall oblige us with relating the history of yours.' Polly smiled at this request, and said she was ready to comply.
THE DESCRIPTION OF MISS POLLY
SUCKLING.
Miss Polly Suckling was just turned of eight years old, but so short of her age, that few people took her to be above five.It was not a dwarfish shortness; for she had the most exact proportioned limbs in the world, very small bones, and was as fat as a little cherub.She was extremely fair, and her hair quite flaxen.Her eyes a perfect blue, her mouth small, and her lips quite plump and red.She had the freshness of a milkmaid; and when she smiled and laughed, she seemed to show an hundred agreeable dimples.She was, in short, the very picture of health and good-humour, and was the plaything and general favorite of the whole school.
THE LIFE OF MISS POLLY SUCKLING.
'Now,' said little Polly, 'I will tell you all my whole history.I hardly remember anything before I came to school, for I was but five years old when I was brought hither.
'All I know is, that I don't love quarrelling, for I like better to live in peace and quietness.But I have been always less than any of my companions, ever since I have been here; and so I only followed the example of the rest; and as I found they contended about everything, I did so too.Besides, I have been always in fear that my schoolfellows wanted to impose on me, because I was little; and so I used to engage in every quarrel, rather than be left out, as if I was too little to give any assistance; but, indeed, I am very glad now we all agree, because I always came by the worst of it.And, besides, it is a great pleasure to me to be loved, and every Miss is kind and good to me, and ready to assist me whenever I ask them.And this is all I know of my whole life.'
When little Polly ceased, she was kissed and applauded by the whole company, for the agreeable simplicity of her little history.
And thus ended the eighth day's amusement.
