"I should regret the necessity very much, my child; but wouldn't it be
better, on the whole, to have a little moral courage, and put an end to
all intercourse between the two families, than to live in a constant
broil?"

"Why, yes, mother, I suppose so."

Susy was beginning to feel more composed. She saw that her mother
understood the whole story, yet her heart was far from being broken!

"What is moral courage, mother?"

"The courage to do right."

"Did I have moral courage when I told Mrs. Lovejoy the truth?"

"Yes, dear. It was hard for you, wasn't it? If it had been easy, there
would have been no moral courage about it."

"I am glad I had moral courage!" said Susy with animation. "I knew I did
something _right_, but I didn't know what you called it."

"Now," continued Mrs. Parlin, "I have this very day been talking with a
lady, who once lived next door to Mrs. Lovejoy; and she tells me enough
about her to convince me that she is not a person I wish for a neighbor.
And I have heard enough about Annie, too, to feel very sure she is not a
safe companion for my little daughter."

"But, mother," said Susy, "you are not--you don't feel 'stuck up' above