"I knew you would say so, mother. I just asked to hear what you would say. I know Ruthie is ill-mannered: do you think I ought to play with her any more?"
Mrs. Parlin looked at Susy in surprise.
"Why, you know, mother, you wouldn't let me play with Annie Lovejoy. You said, 'evil communications corrupted good manners.'"
"But can't you see any difference in the cases, Susy? What a muddy little head you must wear on your shoulders!"
"Not much of any," said Susy, trying to think; "they're both bold; that's what you don't like."
"Anything else, Susy?"
"O, yes, mother; Ruthie's good, and Annie isn't. It was queer for me to forget that!"
"I should think it was, Susy, since it is the only thing of much importance, after all. Now, it seems to me you are very ready to cast off your friends when their manners offend you. How would you like it to be treated in the same way? Suppose Mrs. Turner and Ruthie should be talking together this very minute. Ruthie says, 'That Susy Parlin keeps her drawers in a perfect tumble; she isn't orderly a bit. Susy Parlin never knit a stitch for the soldiers in her life. Mother, mayn't I stop playing with Susy Parlin?'"
Susy laughed, and looked a little ashamed.
"Well, mother," said she, twisting the corner of her handkerchief, "I guess I can't say anything about Ruthie Turner; she's a great deal better girl than I am, any way."