"
"Grown-up people are sometimes cross, aren't they?" said Bessie.
"Nurse is; and I heard Papa say Aunt Alice was."
"We have tempers, certainly," said Miss Fosbrook; "and unless we have
conquered them as children, there will be signs of them afterwards;
but very few people, and certainly no children, can tell when grave
looks, or words sharper than usual, come from illness or anxiety or
sorrow; and it is the only way to save great grief and self-reproach
to give one's own faults the blame, and try to be as unobtrusive and
obliging as possible."
"And I am older now, and can understand," said Bessie; "but then, it
is Susie that is right hand, and does everything."
"There's plenty in your own line, Bessie--plenty of little kindly
services that are very cheering; and above all--"
"What?"
"Attending to your Mamma's troubles will drive away your own
grievances. Only I will not talk to you any more now, for I want you
to go to sleep; if you lie awake, you will be tired to-morrow, and
that will incline you to be fretful."
"Fretful to-morrow!"
Bessie could not believe it possible; and indeed Miss Fosbrook did
not think the chance great, as long as there was amusement and
excitement.
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