L. Yes, May; but it does not follow they were wise as well as good. I suppose they think Jeremiah liked better to have to write Lamentations for his people, than to have to write that promise for them, which everybody seems to hurry past, that they may get on quickly to the verse about Rachel weeping for her children; though the verse they pass is the counter-blessing to that one: 'Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance; and both young men and old together; and I will turn their mourning into joy.'
(The children get very serious, but look at each other, as if pleased.)
Mary. They understand now: but, do you know what you said next?
L. Yes; I was not more than half asleep. I said their second virtue was dressing.
Mary. Well! what did you mean by that?
L. What do you mean by dressing?
Mary. Wearing fine clothes.
L. Ah! there's the mistake. I mean wearing plain ones.
Mary. Yes, I daresay! but that's not what girls understand by dressing, you know.
L. I can't help that. If they understand by dressing, buying dresses, perhaps they also understand by drawing, buying pictures. But when I hear them say they can draw, I understand that they can make a drawing; and when I hear them say they can dress, I understand that they can make a dress and—which is quite as difficult—wear one.