“Why not? what is there amiss about her? I never heard any one say anything against her. On the contrary, she is universally loved and admired.”
“Ma is very particular about the acquaintances I form at school; for she says, it would be a very awkward thing to have to shake them off as I grow up.”
“But if you find them amiable and pleasant acquaintances, I cannot see why you need shake them off. For my part, I should be delighted to think that the friendships I form while a girl would last me through life.”
“That would be pleasant enough, provided they were suitable. But how would you feel if in a public assembly you were accosted familiarly by the daughter of a storekeeper?”
“If she were one that I admired and esteemed, I should not care what her father was,” replied Isabella with energy.
“So you think at present, because you find it very pleasant to go to Rosalba’s party; but wait a year or two, and see if you do not acknowledge that you are sorry your mother allowed you to form an acquaintance with girls who did not belong to the first circles.”
“I have heard Papa say, he considered Mr. Pearson equal to any man in Philadelphia, for integrity, benevolence, and information.”
“That may be very true; but still he never can belong to the first circles, you know.”
“Is there any thing that ought to be placed higher than virtue and knowledge?” asked Isabella with great simplicity. “I have always been taught to think that these were the criterion by which we ought to judge our friends.”
“We may respect a person or otherwise, in proportion as he possesses these qualities; but that is no reason that we should admit him as an intimate friend. People of an inferior class, Mamma says, are so much disposed to take advantage of any little kindness that is shown them, that it is difficult to keep them at a proper distance.”