64 THE HISTORY OF

1 could shew you many places in the Bible,
where we are exhorted not to love the world,
nor the things that are in the world. It be-
comes every one of us to dress decently, and
with the utmost cleanliness; but surely, what-
ever the rich may think it right to do, it be-
comes not a poor servant to spend her little
pittance on needless finery.”

“Certainly not,” said my mistress; ‘1 would
not have you spend all you have on a hat.
But if you were a little better dressed, Susan,
perhaps some young tradesman or farmer might
be taken with you, (for you are a good-looking
girl,) and might choose you for his wife. And
do you think, child, that if you could get a
good husband, by spending a few extraordinary
shillings, that the money would be thrown
away?” And then the wicked woman laughed ;
for indeed I must call her a wicked woman.

“If God sees fit,” I answered, “that I should
marry, in his due time he will provide me with
a worthy husband. But this is, at present, no
concern of mine; I trust in God, and leave him
to do what he pleases with me.”

“You always have a mighty deal to say for
yourself, Susan,” said my mistress: ‘ but come
now, think better of it; here, I offer you the
half-crown again. Have you a mind to take it
towards buying the hat?”

“If you will give it to me towards a pair of
shoes, or a coloured apron, I will thank you,”
I said; and held out my hand to receive it.

‘© No, no,” said my mistress, ‘ that will not
do; you shall have it, if you please, for the bat,