Page:Moral tales.pdf/5

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this lady came in. Mrs. Andrews inquired of Hannah how her mother did? on which ſhe replied, that ſhe did not juſtly know, for ſhe had been too buſy to call on her that day. Mrs. Andrews expreſſed her ſurpriſe at her pleading want of time, and began, relating in what condition ſhe had found her mother ; but the unkind daughter, inſtead of ſhowing any concern on the occaſion, anſwered, that her mother did not know what ſhe would have ; and pleaded her own family affairs as a reaſon for not doing more for her. Mrs. Andrews ſaid, that had ſhe found her engaged in them, ſhe ſhould have been ready to allow of her excuse ; but surely, ſhe, who had leisure to ſit down at the tea-table, might find time to succour her poor ancient parent. She deſired Hannah to conſider what would have become of her if her poor mother had been as thoughtless and inattentive to her when ſhe was a little helpleſs infant ; and that ſhe was ſetting a very bad example to her own children, who would very likely pay her in her own way. Hannah Jenkinſon's own children were as yet little ones, and an evil which was at a diſtance ſhe did not ſeem to dread. She endeavoured to throw the blame on her mother, by ſaying, that the old woman was ſo fretful and humourſome, there was no doing any thing to pleaſe to her. I am afraid, Mrs. Jenkinſon, ſaid the lady, that