5
When Mary returned to the parlour, she found her father at the door, going out; he gave her a smile of approbation, as he passed, and kindly tapping her on the neck, said, "she was a dear good lassie, and a comfort to his heart."
Miss Bell, who thought that every praise bestowed on her sister, conveyed a reproach to her, now broke silence, in evident displeasure with all the party.
"She was sure, for her part, she did not know what people meant by paying such people so much attention. But she knew well enough it was all to get their good words; but, for her part, she scorned such meanness. She scorned to get the good word of any one, by doing what was so improper."
"And what, my dear Bell, is improper in what I have now done?" said Mary, in a mild tone of expostulation.
"Improper!" returned her sister, "I dont know what you call improper, if you think it proper to keep company with a
