least false step, he must have fallen to the bottom, and been
drowned; my mamma, by a sign with her finger that called him to
her, preserved him from the imminent danger he was in of losing
his life; and then she took care that we should both be the better
for this little incident, by laying before us how much our safety
and happiness, as well as our duty, were concerned in being
obedient.

'My brother and I once had a quarrel about something as trifling
as your apple of contention; and, though we both heartily wished
to be reconciled to each other, yet did our little hearts swell so
much with stubbornness and pride, that neither of us would speak
first; by which means we were so silly as to be both uneasy, and
yet would not use the remedy that was in our own power to remove
that uneasiness. My mamma found it out, and sent for me into her
closet, and said, "She was sorry to see her instructions had no
better effect on me; for," continued she, "indeed, Jenny, I am
ashamed of your folly, as well as wickedness, in thus contending
with your brother" A tear, which I believe flowed from shame,
started from my eyes at this reproof; and I fixed them on the
ground, being too much overwhelmed with confusion to dare to lift
them up on mamma. On which she kindly said, "She hoped my
confusion was a sign of my amendment. That she might indeed have
used another method, by commanding me to seek a reconciliation
with my brother; for she did not imagine I was already so far gone
in perverseness, as not to hold her commands as inviolable; but
she was willing, for my good, first to convince me of my folly."
As soon as my confusion would give me leave to speak, on my knees
I gave her a thousand thanks for her goodness, and went
immediately to seek my brother. He joyfully embraced the first