362 
RURAL HOURS. 
but — alas, that it should be so — there are other unruly flocks 
where the boys, ay, and even the girls, too, have been known to 
unite in hooting and making faces at the traveller, a disgrace to 
themselves and to their instructors. But the children at the Red 
Brook behaved very properly, albeit they Avere not so pohshed as 
to bow and curtsey. They told their names, showed their books, 
and pointed out their different roads home in a civil, pretty 
way. Indeed, those instances of unmannerly conduct alluded to 
above did not occur in the same neighborhood, but Avere observed 
at some little distance from this valley. 
The appearance of most of the little people Avas creditable ; 
they looked cleanly and simple. Many of the children were bare- 
footed, as usual in Avarm weather, — almost all the boys, and a 
number of the girls. In Avinter they are all provided Avith shoes 
and stockings. Here and there among the girls there Avas some 
show of tawdry finery ; ribbons that Avere no longer clean, glass 
jewels, and copper rings ; and one of the older girls had a silk 
hat, Avhich looked both hot and heavy, beside her companions’ 
nice sun-bonnets ; it Avas trimmed inside and out Avith shabby ar- 
tificial floAvers. But then, as an offset to these, there Avere several 
among the little people Avhose clothes, Avell Avashed and ironed, 
showed a patch here and there. Now there is nothing in the 
Avorld Avhich carries a more respectable look Avith it, than a clean 
coat or frock Avhich has been nicely patched ; Avhen united Avith 
cleanliness, the patch tells of more than one virtue in the Avearer : 
it shows prudence, simplicity, and good sense, and industry ; it 
shows that he or she is not ashamed of honest poverty, and does 
not seek to parade under false colors. There are two situations 
in which patched clothing excite an especial feeling of interest and 
s 
