She gurgled with laughter, saying, in the pretended new voice:
"You will find out considerable about yourself, Maid Sally, what you can do, and maybe what you can be, if only you follow what I teach. High time it is you waked up."
Then replied a forlorn young voice:
"Yes, but what good doth it do a poor thing like me to wake up? It is only to find out how mean and soiled is my dress, how brown are my hands and feet, and worst of all, that no matter how hard I might long for it, learning is not for a maid of my quality."
"Prithee, be patient!" cried the new Sally, cheerily. "Thou hast already made of thyself a more seemly looking maid; still better things may come ere long."
New words came into Sally's mind as she talked to her other self, and her language became more proper, sure sign that somewhere within her a truly fine nature was hidden away.
When she appeared at supper that afternoon, Mistress Cory Ann exclaimed:
"Oh, good Peter! do look at the young one's head, will you? Now have you been meddling with my comb to-day?" she asked, sharply.
"I found an old brush that I washed and used, Mistress," Sally answered, "and I think it were time my hair should be made decent."
"Now don't go wasting time trying to get up smart looks," said Mistress Cory Ann; for, truth to tell, it was sorry she felt to see the great change and improvement in Sally's appearance. And what was more, she had noticed that the useful child was growing careful and thoughtful in a way she did not at all desire she should. Because, if Sally began making the most of herself, what might it not lead to, pray?