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B24 SKETCHES.
when his room was scoured, except when he stumbled
over the water-pail.”
“To praise in proper time and to blame in proper time,”
remarked Amelia, “is an effective means by which a house-
wife can use her influence. I have heard many complaints
made in this world about servants, but I have almost always
noticed that the principal fault which caused all the com-
plaint, was owing to the master and mistress themselves.
Wherever those who are to command are morally and in-
tellectually superior, which, in consequence of their higher
position in the world, they ought to be, the inferiors will, if
they are treated with justice, common sense, and kindness,
in general be not only obedient, but also willing, respect-
ful, and often become sincerely attached ; in most instances
the faults of the master or mistress are the cause of the
faults and errors in their servants.”
“You have, my dear child,” said Helena, “a little fault,
against which I must warn you, especially on account of
the annoyance which it may cause your husband. You
think you are always right, even in the greatest trifles, and
you become therefore frequently irritable. In such little
altercations a straw often becomes a large forest and a
pin’s head a cannon-ball.”
“ Which often,” remarked Amelia, “ make a breach in the
wall of domestic peace.”
“ Alas!” continued Helena, “here in this life, where so
many real cares and misfortunes can befall us, the greatest
wisdom consists in letting, especially in less important
matters, five be an even number, in order to preserve
domestic peace.”
“You have also,” said Amelia, “another little fault,
which, at your age, it is important to overcome. This is a
carelessness in dress. How often have we not been ob-
liged to say to you: ‘ Emma, your shawl is all awry.’”
“ Or,” observed Helena, “ your shoe-string is broken.”
“Or,” said Amelia, “your collar has been put on with
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