THE LIFE OF MISS DOLLY FRIENDLY.

'I was bred up, till I was nine years of age, with a sister, who
was one year younger than myself. The chief care of our parents
was to make us love each other; and, as I was naturally inclined
to have very strong affections, I became so fond of my sister
Molly, which was her name, that all my delight was to please her;
and this I carried to such a height, that I scrupled no lies to
excuse her faults: and whatever she did, I justified, and thought
right, only because she did it.

'I was ready to fight her quarrels, whether right or wrong; and
hated everybody that offended her. My parents winked at whatever
I did in defence of my sister; and I had no notion that any thing
done for her could be unreasonable. In short, I made it my study
to oblige and please her, till I found at last it was out of my
power; for she grew so very humoursome, that she could not find
out what she had most mind to have; and I found her always
miserable; for she would cry only because she did not know her own
mind.

'She never minded what faults she committed, because she knew I
would excuse her; and she was forgiven in consideration of our
friendship, which gave our parents great pleasure.

'My poor little sister grew very sickly, and she died just before
I came to school: but the same disposition still continued; and
it was my friend's outcries of being hurt, that drew me into that
odious quarrel, that we have all now repented.'