84 BE TRUE.

«Did you say,” inquired Mrs. El-
more, “that Maria was indisposed ¢”

“She was last evening,” replied
Mrs. Wingate; “but thismorning she
has taken Laura’s place at the store,
as I can on no account allow the
child to go out until she is better.”

The fact was, the young ladies, as
well as their mother, saw the neces-
sity of doing something to remove
the unfavorable opinion which they
feared Mrs. Elmore had formed of
their dispositions.

« Benevolence is her foible,” said
Mrs. Wingate: “it is as easy for us
to appear affectionate to please her,
as to do a thousand other things not
natural to us.”

Immediately after breakfast, Mrs.
Wingate and Jane Amelia went to
the store. while Maria returned home,