Page:Original stories from real life 1796.pdf/22

mind; but the children were regardleſs of ſurrounding beauties, and ran eagerly ſome inſects to deſtroy them. Mrs. Maſon ſilently obſerved their cruel ſports, without appearing to do it; but ſtepping ſuddenly out of the foot-path into the long grasſ, her buckle was caught in it, and ſtriving to diſentangle herſelf, ſhe wet her feet; which the children knew ſhe wiſhed to avoid, as ſhe had been lately ſick. This circumſtance rouſsed their attention; and they forgot their amuſement to enquire why ſhe had left the path; and Mary could hardly reſtrain a laugh, when ſhe was informed that it was to avoid treading on ſome ſnails that were creeping acroſs the narrow footway. Surely, ſaid Mary, you do not think there is any harm in killing a ſnail, or any of thoſe naſty creatures that crawul on the ground? I hate them, and ſhould ſcream if one was to find its way from my clothes to my neck! With great gravity, Mrs. Maſon aſked how ſhe dared to kill any thing, unleſs it were to prevent its hurting her? Then, reſuming a ſmiling face, ſhe ſaid, Your education has been