Tidy was just the child for her.
The morning after her arrival, Mrs. Lee instructed her in
her duties thus:--
"You are to do what Mammy Grace and the children tell you to.
See that Lemmy doesn't stuff things into his ears and nose;
mind you don't let the baby fall, and behave yourself."
She wasn't told what would be the consequence if she did not
"behave herself," but Tidy felt that she had something to fear from
that flashing eye and heavy brow. Miss Matilda had protected her,
as far as she was able, though without the child's knowledge,
by saying to her sister that she was willing her little servant should
be employed in the family, but that she was never to be whipped.
"You're mighty saving of your little piece of flesh and blood,"
said her sister-in-law. "I find it doesn't work well to be too tender;
they need a little cuffing now and then to keep them straight."
"Tidy is a good child," replied Miss Matilda. "She always does as she
is told, and I have never had occasion to punish her in my life;
and I can not consent to her being treated severely."
"We shall see," said Mrs. Lee; "but, I tell you, I take no impudence
from my hands."
Miss Matilda's stipulation and her constant presence in the family
no doubt screened Tidy from much that was unpleasant from her
new mistress; for if children or servants are ever so well inclined,
an ugly and easily excited temper in a superior will provoke
evil dispositions in them, and MAKE occasions of punishment.
Pages:
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48