The simplicity of the girl pleased Mrs. Hyde, and her sweet countenance was stamped on her memory. "It is fortunate for you, Anne," she said, "that my harangue was interrupted; when we mount our hobbies, we are apt to jade our friends. The truth is, I often think reflection would bring others to the result to which necessity brought me."
"It may be, Sara. You have certainly given me some new ideas. I have heretofore thought only of enduring the evil, never of curing it."
Chapter VIII.
REFORM.
Mrs. Ardley the very next morning set about "reforming altogether" her household. Like that of many fresh converts, her zeal was employed on the faults of others rather than her own. "I am resolved," she said to Sophy, "to speak to Ferris about her drinking—she is getting too bad!"
"I have long thought so, Mrs. Ardley; and really, since she set the bed a-fire, I am afraid she will burn herself up, and poor little Lucy too—her month is up next week."
"She is a capital cook—what nice made-dishes she gets up!"
Without heeding Mrs. Ardley's interjection, Sophy proceeded. "I heard Mary Minturn" (Mary was the seamstress) "say that her health was failing so
