is children, and has taught them
to 'honour and obey their father and their mother, that their days may
be long in the land.' But you fashionable young ladies, 'who press to
bear such haughty sway,' are exempt from this code, for there is no
express command to honour _pas_ and _mas_."

"I hope Mrs. Adair will never give another medal," said Miss Damer.

"You deserved it," cried Miss Cotton with warmth, "and I hope you will
always be rewarded for excelling, in every thing you attempt."

"A person must be envious indeed," said Miss Arden, "who can for a
moment feel hurt at another being rewarded!"

"Had they your temper," cried Miss Cotton, "envy would indeed be
unknown; but medals of merit, as they are styled, certainly create
strife."

"But heroes, poets, and artists are distinguished by many proofs of
regard," observed Miss Arden; "why should we be against a reward to
merit here?"

"You do not consider," said Miss Cotton, "great men, have great minds;
but we have very little ones."

"I can only say, I pity any one with a malicious temper: and a person
must have one, indeed, who can envy Miss Damer; for she never provokes
to anger, or gives offence."

"And pray how are you to answer for Miss Damer?" asked Miss Vincent.

"I wonder you ask this question," returned Miss Arden. "From the first
day I came into this house I had reason to dread you; and love, and
esteem, Miss Damer. Though I was a stranger to every one, you made me a
subject of ridicule;--but I will not tell you of all your unkindness."

"Pray how long have you been, in studying this set speech?"

"Only whilst you were setting your face to look contemptuously."

"Wonderful! I could not have supposed that a creole had wit! But I
forget, you are the heiress of a rich nabob! Pray to what black knight,
or noble emperor, are you allied?"

"Oh, fie! fie! how can you be so insolent!" cried Miss Damer.

"Miss Vincent's words do not trouble me: they have lost their power; let
her be as severe as she pleases. If she could not display her talent in
satire, we should say she was the simple one of Mrs. Adair's school:
there are drones and dunces every where."

"My dear Miss Arden, let us cease all disputes," said Miss Cotton; "Miss
Vincent and her friend are the most suitable persons to be together,
when they are in a quarrelsome mood: let us forbear speaking to them."

"Cotton would make an admirable methodist parson," cried Miss Vincent.

"I wish I co