but Dr. May!" she exclaimed, shocked; "nothing in your house
could call for such ."

"I  we are not very savage," he said, smiling; "but, indeed, I
still say it is the safest rule.  It would be the only one if you
were really among unkind people; and, if you take so much to  an
unlucky neglect of mine, what would you do if the slight were a true
one?"

"You are right; but my  were always over-sensitive;" and this
she said with a sort of .

"Well, we must try to brace them," said Dr. May, much as if
prescribing for her.  "Will not you believe in our  and
, and harden yourself against any outward unintentional piece
of incivility?"

She felt as if she could at that moment.

"Or at least, try to forgive and forget them.  Talking them over only
deepens the sense of them, and discussions do no good to any one.  My
daughters are anxious to be your best friends, as I  you know."

"Oh! they are most kind--"

"But, you see, I must say this," added Dr. May, somewhat hesitating,
"as they have no