Page:The Cottagers of Glenburnie - Hamilton (1808).djvu/25

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and, with her connexions, if she had held her head a little higher, and never taken notice of people because of their being good, and such stuff, she might have lived in a genteeler stile, I am sure she gave as much to poor people every year, as might have given handsome dinners to half the gentry in the country: and, to curry favour with my father, you encourage him in the same mean ways. But I see through your mean arts, Miss, and I despise them."

"Indeed, sister, I have no arts," said Mary. "I wish to follow the example that was set us by the best of mothers, and I am sure we cannot have a better model for our conduct."

"Do as you please, Miss!" cried her sister, choking with rage; and, leaving the room, slapped the door after her with a violence which awaked their guest, and brought their father up from his study, to see what was the matter. He found Mary in tears, and instantly conjectured the