"The only thing I know," said Alice, with a slight smile, "is to be full of that charity which among other lovely ways of showing itself, has this that it is 'not easily provoked.' "
"I am easily provoked," said Ellen.
"Then you know one thing, at any rate, that is to be watched and prayed and guarded against; it is no little matter to be acquainted with one's own weak points."
"I tried so hard to keep quiet that morning," said Ellen; "and if I only could have let that unlucky speech alone but somehow I forgot myself, and I just told her what I thought."
"Which it is very often best not to do."
"I do believe," said Ellen, "Aunt Fortune would like to have
Mr. Van Brunt not like me."
"Well," said Alice, "what then?"
"Nothing, I suppose, Maam."
"I hope you are not going to lay it up against her?"
"No, Maam, I hope not."