Mrs. Addis, to whose house they were going, was a widow lady; she had two children,—Charles, a boy of twelve years old, at school, and Augusta, about seven, at home. But these children were quite strangers to the Bensons.
On entering the hall Harriet took notice of a very disagreeable smell, and was surprised with the appearance of a parrot, paroquet, and a macaw, all in most superb cages. In the next room she came to were a squirrel and a monkey, which had each a little house neatly ornamented. On being introduced into the drawing-room she observed in a corner a lap dog lying on a splendid cushion; and in a beautiful little cradle, which she supposed to contain a large wax doll, lay in great state a cat with a litter of kittens.
After the usual compliments were over, Mrs. Benson said, "I have taken the liberty of bringing my daughter with me, in hopes of inducing you to favour us, in return, with the company of Miss Addis."
"You are very obliging," replied the lady, "but indeed I never take my children with me, they are so rude; it will be time enough some years hence for Augusta to go visiting."
"I am sorry to hear you say this," said Mrs. Benson. "You are displeased, then, I fear, at my having brought Harriet with me." This in reality
