Modesty and Conceit (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1865 Excerpt: ...as she hurried on her way. "Yes," returned Martha, "she was humbled at breakfast by staining her pincloth, and she went up-stairs meeker than common. But she's come down quite tip-top." "I wonder, mother, you let her bedress herself as if she didn't belong to us," said Thomas. "I only let her go off such a fine figure," said Martha," because I think it's the quickest way of easing her vanity." "It's puffed her up wonderful for the present," said Thomas. "It won't puff her up many Sundays, I'm pretty certain," said Martha. "How is it to bring her down?" asked Thomas. "She'll spoil it in no time," answered Martha; "and when it's spoiled, it'll be as much her shame as it's now her pride." Mabel was the last to enter the schoolroom, and as she was after the appointed hour, she was obliged, according to the rules of the school, to take her place at the bottom of the class to which she belonged. Sophy Tucket was next above her. Sophy was without Jim, and she wore a bonnet that might have been worn with propriety by a dancing chimney-sweeper on the first of May. It could hardly be said which of the two girta was most stared at, for both attracted general, though silent, attention. "I did meet Sir John Hamleigh, Mabel," said Sophy, as they walked together from school to church; "but he didn't give me a shilling." "I told you he wouldn't," said Mabel. "You said you thought he wouldn't," said Sophy. "Well, I thought right, you see," returned Mabel. "He rode along without taking any notice of me, or Jim either," said Sophy. "But I've got the bonnet I told you of. Mrs. Fade let mother have it for a day's wa...