all her companions: when, at a small distance from Mrs. Teachum's
garden-wall, over which from the terrace our young company looked,
they saw, under a large spreading tree, part of the branches of
which shaded a seat at the end of that terrace, a middle-aged
woman beating a little girl, who looked to be about eight years
old, so severely, that it was no wonder her cries had reached
their arbour.

Miss Jenny could not forbear calling out to the woman, and begging
her to forbear: and little Polly Suckling cried as much as the
girl, and desired she might not be beat any more. The woman, in
respect to them, let the child go; but said, 'Indeed, young
ladies, you don't know what a naughty girl she is: for though you
now see me correct her in this manner, yet am I in all respects
very kind to her, and never strike her but for lying. I have
tried all means, good and bad, to break her of this vile fault;
but hitherto all I have done has been in vain: nor can I ever get
one word of truth out of her mouth. But I am resolved to break
her of this horrid custom, or I cannot live with her: for though
I am but poor, yet I will breed up my child to be honest, both in
word and deed.'

Miss Jenny could not but approve of what the poor woman said.
However, they all joined in begging forgiveness for the girl this
time, provided she promised amendment for the future: and then
our little society returned to their arbour.

Miss Jenny could not help expressing her great detestation of all
lying whatsoever; when Miss Dolly Friendly, colouring, confessed
she had often been guilty of this fault, though she never scarcely