Miss _Lydia_ had now quite left off whining and frowning, and was grown a very agreeable play-fellow and companion; and as she and _Fanny_ amused themselves, without any noise or bustle, it was a pleasure to see them in the room. During the whole time they staid, they behaved in the most pleasing manner; and Mrs. _Grant_ did every thing in her power to make the visit agreeable to them. After passing a very cheerful day, they returned home, and Miss _Lydia_ had the pleasure of seeing her little friend in much better spirits than when she set out.
One day, as Miss _Lydia_ was walking in the fields with her Mamma, her sisters, and _Fanny_, she saw a little girl standing near the hedge, and crying very sadly. The voice of distress was never heard without attention by Miss _Lydia_; she ran up to the girl, followed by _Fanny_, and asked her what was the matter?
Oh! dear, what shall I do! my eggs are almost all broken! and my mother will be so angry, I am afraid to go home!
Do not cry, I dare say your mother will not be very angry: my Mamma would not, I am sure.
Yes, Miss; but my mother will, and beat me severely too. I was to have sold them for a shilling, and carried back some butter and a loaf.
I dare say you did not break them on purpose: how did it happen?
My mother put two dozen of eggs into this little basket, and wrapped them nicely up in straw, and bade me go directly to town with them, and not stop at all. She told me I must sell them for a shilling, and bring back a loaf and some butter. I walked straight on till I came to this field, and then the blackberries looked so nice in the hedge, that I longed to get some; and I thought there could be no harm in stepping to the hedge and gathering a few. I set my basket down because I wanted to reach a very fine bough that grew in the back part of the hedge; but while I was plucking the fruit, a great over-grown dog came and ran his nose into my basket, overturned all the eggs, and broke a dozen of them; and now I cannot buy the bread and the butter. My mother wants them for her tea, and I do not know what she will do to me.
Mrs. _Lively_ and _Lydia_’s elder sisters had now walked up to them, and Mrs. _Lively_ having overheard the girl’s discourse, said, I am sorry to see you in such trouble; but you now find the consequence of not minding your mother. Little girls are apt to think they know as well as their parents; but they generally find themselves mistaken, and sometimes get into a great deal of distress by fancying so; as you have done. Your mother bade you go directly to town and stop nowhere, because she knew if you got to play, or gave your attention to any thing but your eggs, a great many accidents might happen to break them; and if you had done as she bade you, it is probable your eggs would have been safe. Your mother, therefore, will have great reason to be angry, when she knows how the accident happened.