“And the sensibility,” said Selina.
“Mary has the sensibility to an equal degree.”
“Oh mamma! no.”
“I discover as great a depth of feeling in Mary as in Anna, with a stronger judgment. Yes, Mary is the most like her mother. They are charming companions for you, my dears, in most respects, and I am very glad you have met.”
“In most respects!” repeated Selina: “in every respect. They are every thing that is dear and delightful!”
“Take care, my little enthusiast,” said her mother, laying one hand on Selina’s shoulder, and pointing with the other to the balcony: “look at your friends now, and tell me if you would like to make exactly such an appearance.”
Selina saw that Mary’s hair, disordered and out of curl, hung in a very slovenly way about her face; and that Anna’s silk frock was stained from top to bottom with something which had been thrown over it.
“Oh! mamma,” exclaimed Selina, “how can you expect them to be quite neat and handy, when they have no mother to teach them?”
“I do not expect it, my dear; I only point out to you that they are not quite perfect. If we could carry them away with us, I think we might soon correct these bad habits; and they, in their turn, might improve you in some things of more importance.”
Rose and her sister besought Mrs. Fletcher to try to induce Mr. Byerley to part with them for a while; and as Mr. Fletcher had himself proposed it, believing that Mary would be a valuable companion to Rose, it was agreed that Mr. Byerley’s consent should be asked without delay.