now they could not distinguish between friend and enemy; but
fought, scratched, and tore, like so many cats, when they extend
their claws to fix them in their rival's heart.

Miss Jenny was employed in endeavouring to part them.

In the midst of this confusion appeared Mrs. Teachum, who was
returning in hopes to see them happy with the fruit she had given
them; but she was some time there before either her voice or
presence could awaken them from their attention to the fight; when
on a sudden they all faced her, and fear of punishment began now a
little to abate their rage. Each of the misses held in her right
hand, fast clenched, some marks of victory; for they beat and were
beaten by turns. One of them held a little lock of hair torn from
the head of her enemy; another grasped a piece of a cap, which, in
aiming at her rival's hair, had deceived her hand, and was all the
spoils she could gain; a third clenched a piece of an apron; a
fourth, of a frock. In short, everyone unfortunately held in her
hand a proof of having been engaged in the battle. And the ground
was spread with rags and tatters, torn from the backs of the
little inveterate combatants.

Mrs. Teachum stood for some time astonished at the sight; but at
last she enquired of Miss Jenny Peace, who was the only person
disengaged, to tell her the whole truth, and to inform her of the
cause of all this confusion.

Miss Jenny was obliged to obey the commands of her governess;
though she was so good natured that she did it in the mildest
terms; and endeavoured all she could to lessen, rather than