K. And shall I have all the same things to do, mamma, that you have?
M. It is impossible, my dear, to foresee what your future station will be; but you have no reason to expect that if you have a family you will have fewer duties to perform than I have. This is the way of life for which your education should prepare you; and everything will be useful and important for you to learn, in proportion as it will make you fit for this.
K. But when I am grown a young lady, shall I not have to visit, and go to assemblies and plays, as Miss Wilsons and Miss Johnsons do?
M. It is very likely you may enter into some amusement of this sort: but even then you will have several more serious employments, which will take up a much greater part of your time; and if you do not do them properly, you will have no right to partake of the others.
K. What will they be, mamma?
M. Why, don’t you think it proper that you should assist me in my household affairs a little, as soon as you are able?
K. O yes, mamma, I should be very glad to do that.
M. Well, consider what talents will be necessary for that purpose; will not a good hand at your needle be one of the very first qualities?
K. I believe it will.
M. Yes, and not only in assisting me, but in making things for yourself. You know how we admired Miss Smart’s ingenuity when she was with us, in contriving and making so many articles of her dress, for which she must otherwise have gone to the milliner’s, which would have cost a great deal of money.