Ruth Hall.

Fanny Fern.

Characters:

Mrs. H. Good morning, Ruth; Mrs. Hall, I suppose, I should call you, only that I can’t get used to being shoved aside so suddenly.

Ruth. Oh, pray don’t say Mrs. Hall to me. Call me any name that best pleases you; I shall be quite satisfied.

Mrs. H. I suppose you understand all about housekeeping, Ruth?

Ruth. No. I have but just returned from boarding-school.

Mrs. H. It is a great pity you were not brought up properly. Harry has his fortune yet to make, you know. Young people nowadays seem to think money comes in showers. Harry has been brought up sensibly. He has been taught economy. Do you know how to iron, Ruth?

Ruth. Yes. I have sometimes clear-starched my own muslins and laces.

Mrs. H. Glad to hear it. Can you make bread? When I say bread, I mean bread,—none of your soda, saleratus mixtures,—old-fashioned yeast-riz bread. Do you know how to make it?

Ruth. No. People in the city always buy baker’s bread; my father did.

Mrs. H. Your father! Land’s sake, child, you mustn’t quote your father, now you’re married. I hope you won’t be always running home, or running anywhere, in fact. Do you know I should like your looks better if you didn’t curl your hair?

Ruth. I don’t curl it; it curls naturally.

Mrs. H. That’s a pity. You should avoid everything that looks frivolous. And, Ruth, if you should feel the need of exercise, don’t gad in the streets. There is nothing like a broom and a dust-pan to make the blood circulate. I hope you don’t read novels and such trash. I have a very select little library containing a most excellent sermon on Predestination by our good old minister, Dr. Diggs. Any time you stand in need of rational reading, come to me.