The last thing Soffrona did in the evening, was to try to put some milk down Muff’s throat, and this was the first thing she did in the morning: and so far she did right, for the poor little thing depended on her. But when she had done all she could for Muff, she should have given her mind to her other duties; but she could not command herself to attend to any thing else all that morning, and learned her lessons so ill, that, if the lady had not been very indulgent, she would have deprived her of the pleasure of walking with Sophia to see the old woman, and to carry the petticoat.
There was a neat little maid-servant, called Jane, who used to walk out with Sophia and Soffrona when they had a long way to go; and Jane was ready waiting for the little girls by the time the lessons were done.
Sophia had asked leave to carry the basket with the petticoat and the tea and sugar; and Soffrona took another basket, and put a bit of flannel at the bottom of it, and laid Muff in it, and tied the cover over it; and when Sophia took up her basket to carry, Soffrona also put her arm under the handle of Muff’s basket, and went down stairs with it.
When they were got out of the house, Jane said, “What, have you two baskets, young ladies, full of good things, to carry to old Martha? Well, I am very glad; for she is a good and pious old woman.”
Soffrona coloured, but did not answer; and Sophia smiled, and said, “She has not got any thing for the old woman in her basket: she has only got Muff, wrapped in flannel, in it.”
“O, Miss!” said Jane, “how can you think of doing such a thing? What a trouble it will be to you to carry the kitten all the way! and we have two miles to walk, and most of it up hill. Please to let me carry the kitten back to the house.”
“No, no, Jane,” said Soffrona, “no, you shall not.”
“Shall not, Miss!” said Jane: “is that a pretty word?”
Soffrona looked very cross, and Jane was turning back to complain to the lady: but Sophia entreated her not to do it; and Soffrona submitted to ask her pardon for being rude, and promised to behave better, if she would permit her to carry the kitten where she was going. So that matter was settled, and Jane and the little girls proceeded.
