1847,] Mr. Duropus and Family. 97 



loving wife; when we began the world with nothing, she did her 

 full share of the labor; true, now, some of the notions which are 

 filling everybody's heads, in these days, have got into hers; but 

 she will get over iheni, when she comes to think more about 

 them.' He felt pained at the thoughts which he had indulged. 

 By way of atoning for the same, he deterraimed to grant the fa- 

 vor, whatever it might be, which he saw his wife was preparing 

 to ask at the commencement of their conversation. He rubbed 

 his face, and changed his position, and talked on various topics 

 so cheerfully and pleasantly, that Mrs. Duropus was emboldened 

 to prefer her request. 



Mr. Mason, a merchant in the village, had just returned from 

 the city with a fresh supply ot goods. In the fullness of his be- 

 nevolence, he had informed Mrs. D. that he had procured certain 

 dress patterns, with especial reference to the adornment of her 

 daughters, and that in expectation that she would purchase the 

 same, they should be withheld from the public eye till noon the 

 next day. Mrs. D. was authorised, by her relenting husband, to 

 make the purchase on the following morning. 



CHAPTER II. 



Let us now look in at Mr. Hardy's, it was about ten o'clock in 

 the morning; Mrs. Hardy and her two daughters, Mary and Jane, 

 were busily employed in the labors appropriate to their calling. 

 Occasionally the sweet voices of the girls might be heard in song, 

 and then in an affectionate dispute with their mother relative to 

 the division of labor. A knock was heard at the front door. 

 Instead of fleeing in various directions, and slipping on dresses, 

 whose rebellious folds clearly indicate the suddenness of their 

 appropriation, Jane continued at her work and Mary went to the 

 door. She found there Miss Phebe Maria Duropus, and a young 

 gentleman, (the brother of the minister) who was spending his 

 vacation in the village. 



" Good morning," said Mary, with a slight want of composure, 

 at the sight of the stranger, " walk in." 



" We were making a few morning calls," said Miss Phebe, 

 after she had introduced Mr. Foster, " but perhaps you are enga- 

 ged." This was spoken while she was still standing before the 

 door. 



" We are not more engaged than usual; we are always happy 

 to see our friends; come in," said Mary. 



They entered, and Miss Phebe seated herself on the edge of a 

 chair ; v;hether through fear of soiling her new dress, or because 

 slie thought it more genteel, is not known. 



" You are very industrious," said Miss Phebe Maria, " I wish 

 I were so." 



7 



