the governess-第31章
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fair； and her hair quite flaxen。 Her eyes a perfect blue； her mouth small； and her lips quite plump and red。 She had the freshness of a milkmaid； and when she smiled and laughed； she seemed to show an hundred agreeable dimples。 She was； in short； the very picture of health and good…humour； and was the plaything and general favorite of the whole school。
THE LIFE OF MISS POLLY SUCKLING。
'Now；' said little Polly； 'I will tell you all my whole history。 I hardly remember anything before I came to school； for I was but five years old when I was brought hither。
'All I know is； that I don't love quarrelling； for I like better to live in peace and quietness。 But I have been always less than any of my companions； ever since I have been here； and so I only followed the example of the rest； and as I found they contended about everything； I did so too。 Besides； I have been always in fear that my schoolfellows wanted to impose on me； because I was little； and so I used to engage in every quarrel； rather than be left out； as if I was too little to give any assistance； but； indeed； I am very glad now we all agree； because I always came by the worst of it。 And； besides； it is a great pleasure to me to be loved； and every Miss is kind and good to me； and ready to assist me whenever I ask them。 And this is all I know of my whole life。'
When little Polly ceased； she was kissed and applauded by the whole company； for the agreeable simplicity of her little history。
And thus ended the eighth day's amusement。
TUESDAY。 THE NINTH DAY。
Miss Jenny rose early in the morning； and； having collected the lives of her companions （which she had wrote down each day； as they related them） she carried them； after morning school； according to her promise； to her governess。
Mrs。 Teachum； when she had perused them； was much pleased； and said that she perceived； by the manner in which her scholars had related their lives； how much they were in earnest in their design of amendment。 'For （continued she） they have all confessed their faults without reserve； and the untowardly bent of their minds； which so strongly appeared before the quarrel； has not broke out in these their little histories； but； on the contrary； they all seem； according to their capacities； to have endeavoured at imitating your style； in the account you gave of your own life。 I would have you continue to employ your leisure hours in the manner you have lately done； only setting apart a proper time for exercise； and today I will dispense with your attendance in the school…room and indulge you this afternoon in another walk； either to the dairy house； or to the cherry…garden； whichever you all agree on。 But as I shall not go with you myself； and shall only find a servant to take care of you； I hope to hear from you； Miss Jenny； so good an account of the behaviour of your little friends and companions； that I shall have no cause to repent my indulgence。'
Miss Jenny Peace respectfully took leave of her governess； and hastened to the arbour； where her little friends were met； in expectation of her coming。 She told them how well pleased their governess was with them all； for the ingenuous confession of their faults in their past lives； and she then declared Mrs。 Teachum's kind permission to them to take another walk that afternoon。
As no one had at present any story to read or relate； they employed their time till dinner； some in walking and running about the garden； others in looking after and tending some plant or flower； that they had taken particularly under their care； which Mrs。 Teachum both permitted and encouraged them in； whilst Miss Jenny Peace； Miss Sukey Jennett； and Miss Dolly Friendly； remained in the arbour； the two latter asking a thousand questions of the former； both concerning all the instructions she had ever learned from her mamma； and by what means they should best be able to preserve that friendship and happiness； which had of late subsisted amongst them； saying； how pleased their friends and relations would be； to see such a change in their temper and behaviour； and how much they should be beloved by every one。
When they met at dinner； Mrs。 Teachum asked them； whether they had determined upon the choice she had given them in their afternoon's walk； and they were all desirous of going to the dairy house； for little Polly said； she longed to see the good…humoured old woman again； and； indeed； she would not now say anything to her of her shaking head； or her grey hair。 Mrs。 Teachum was pleased； that little Polly so gratefully remembered the old woman； who had been so kind to her； and readily consented to their choice； and approved of their determination。
Being soon equipped for their walk； they set out； attended by two maidservants； and as soon as they arrived； the good old woman expressed the highest joy on seeing them； and told little Polly； that she should have plenty of cream and strawberries； for her daughter had been that day in the wood； and had brought home three baskets of very fine ones。 Mrs。 Nelly； her daughter； said very crossly； that she supposed there would be fine work amongst them； now their governess was not with them； but 'twas her mother's way； to let all children be as rude as they pleased。 Miss Sukey Jennett； with some indignation in her look； was going to answer her； but Miss Jenny Peace； fearing she would say something less mild than she wished； gave her a nod； and； turning to the young woman； with great modesty and temper； thus said： 'You shall see； Mrs。 Nelly； that our good governess's instructions are of more force with us； than to lose all their effect when we are out of her presence； and I hope you will have no cause； when we go away； to complain of the ill behaviour of any of us。'
The good old woman declared she never saw such sweet…tempered children in all her life； and after they had eat their strawberries and cream； and were loaded with pinks and roses by the good woman's bounty （for they did not gather one without her permission）； they took their leave with the utmost civility； and Miss Jenny handsomely rewarded the old woman for her good cheer。 Mrs。 Nelly herself was so pleased with their regular and inoffensive behaviour； that she could not help telling Miss Jenny； that she； and all her companions； had； indeed； behaved as well as if their governess had been with them： on which Miss Jenny （as they were walking home） observed to Miss Sukey Jennett （whom she had prevented from making any reply to Mrs。 Nelly's speech how much better it was to gain another's good will by our own endeavours to be obliging； than to provoke them to be more cross； by our angry answers and reproaches。
When this little company； employed in pleasing talk and lively observations； were come within about a mile of Mrs。 Teachum's house； and within view of a nobleman's fine seat； Miss Jenny said； that the next time their governess permitted them to walk out； she would ask her leave； that they might go and see that fine house； for some time ago she had told them； that they should go thither when the family were absent。 Mrs。 Wilson； the housekeeper； who by chance was walking that way； and heard what Miss Jenny said； came up to them； and told Miss Jenny that her lord and lady were now both absent； having set out； one for London； and the other for another fine seat； forty miles off； that very morning； and as she knew them to be Mrs。 Teachum's well…regulated family； they should be welcome to see the house and gardens now； if they liked it。 Miss Jenny thanked her； and said； as it was near two hours sooner than their governess expected them home； she would accept of her kind offer。 The housekeeper led them through an avenue of tall elm…trees into this magnificent house； in which were many spacious apartments； furnished with the utmost grandeur and elegance。 Some of the rooms were adorned with fine pictures； others were hung with tapestry almost as lively as those paintings； and most of the apartments above stairs were furnished with the finest sorts of needle…work。 Our little company were struck into a sort of silent wonder and admiration at the splendid appearance of everything around them； nor could they find words to express
