to conduct yourself, that, if you
were left alone in the world, you could be happy and independent?"

"My dear mamma," said Edmund, "you must be laughing at me; a pretty figure
I should cut, if I were to set up for a man, without any one to advise me
how to act, to tell me when I was wrong, and to manage every thing for me!
how could I do right without my papa, or some proper guardian? and how
could I be happy without you, mamma?"

As Edmund spoke, he threw his arms round his mother; and the others
followed his example, saying--"No, no, we could do nothing without you
and dear papa; pray do stay with us, and make us good."

As they spoke, the tears were in their eyes, and Matilda was affected: she
remembered the tenderness of her own mother, and how often she had turned
a deaf ear to her expostulations. She was convinced that these children, at
this very time, enjoyed a sweeter pleasure than she had ever experienced
from the gratification of her desires, and she even longed to confess her
folly, and gain her share of Mrs. Harewood's caresses; but pride still
struggled in her heart; and though her reason was convinced of the truth,
that children are indeed dependent on their friends for all that renders
life valuable, yet her temper still got the better, and she resolutely held
her tongue, though she ceased to look haughty and ill-humoured.

CHAPTER III.

This interesting display of natural feelings was interrupted by the hasty
re-entrance of Mr. Harewood, followed by Betty, the housemaid, who, in
entering the door in a hurry, had fallen down a step, and hurt her
forehead, and was now brought forward by her good master, to claim the
assistance of her kind and skilful mistress.

The children were full of concern and condolence with Betty, and with great
tenderness shrunk when they saw their mamma bathe her forehead with
vinegar, as they knew it must smart exceedingly: and Ellen could not help
saying--"How good Betty is! she never says oh!"

"No, Miss," said Betty, "I know your mamma does it for my good; and though
she gives me some pain, yet she saves me from a great deal more."

In a few minutes, Betty declared the smarting was quite gone; and the
children were so glad, that Matilda began to think, though they were
foolish, yet they were certainly happy, and she wished she could feel
as happy as they did.

When Betty was gone, the tea came in, and Mrs. Harewood ordered a large
plate of toast, as she reco