"'I wish so, for your own sake, child.'
"'So do I, Madam;' and down I laid the book again very carelessly.
"'Look once more in it,' said she, 'and see if you can't open it upon some place that may strike you.'
"I opened it at—'Train up a child in the way it should go,' &c. 'I fancy,' said I, 'when I was of Pamela's age, I was pretty near as good as she.'
"'Never, never,' said my mother; 'I am sure I took great pains with you; but, alas I to very little purpose. You had always a violent headstrong will.'
"'Some allowances for boys and girls, I hope, Madam; but you see I am as good for a man as my sister for a woman.'
"'No indeed, you are not, I do assure you.'
"'I am sorry for that. Madam; you give me a sad opinion of myself.'"
"Brazen wretch!" said my lady; "but go on."
"'Turn to one of the girl's observations on some text,' said my mother.