 ought, you will neglect and despise what is light
and useless, whilst you will imprint on your mind's every useful lesson
that is to be drawn from them. I am very well acquainted with the play
you have been reading; but that I may see whether you give the proper
attention to what you have heard, I desire, my little girls, that one of
you will give me an account of the chief incidents in the play, and tell
me the story, just as you would do to one of your companions that had
happened to have been absent.'

Here they all looked upon Miss Jenny Peace, as thinking her the most
capable of doing what their governess required. But Mrs. Teachum,
reading their thoughts in their looks, said, 'I exclude Miss Jenny in
this case; for as the play was of her choosing to read to you, I doubt
not but she is thoroughly enough acquainted with every part of it; and
my design was to try the memory and attention of some of the others.'

They all remained silent, and seemed to wait for a more particular
command, before any one would offer at the undertaking; not through
any backwardness to comply with Mrs. Teachum's request, but each from a
diffidence of herself to perform it.

Miss Jenny Peace then said, that she had observed a great attention in
them all; and she did not doubt but every one was able to give a very
good account of what they had heard. 'But, as Miss Sukey Jennet is the
eldest, I believe, madam, (continued she), if you approve it, they will
all be very ready to depute her as their speaker.'

Each smiled at being so relieved by Miss Jenny; and Mrs. Teachum, taking
Miss Sukey Jennet by the hand, said, 'Come, my dear, throw off all fear
and reserve; imagine me one of your companions, and tell me the story of
the play you have been reading.'

Miss Sukey, thus encouraged by her kind governess, without any
hesitation, spoke in the following manner:

'If I understand your commands, madam, by telling the story of the play,
you would not have me tell you the acts and scenes as they followed one
another for that I am afraid I can hardly remember, as I have heard
it only once but I must describe the chief people in the play, and the
plots and contrivances that are carried on amongst them.'

Mrs. Teachum nodded her head, and Miss Sukey thus proceeded:


'There is an
