with that name; though it is little akin to the true Christian
faithfulness, which, always at peace with truth, never offends against
true courtesy. Charity regards the little foibles incident to fallen
human nature with a lenient eye, never pointing them out to the
scornful gaze of another, but remembering that they are to be touched
tenderly, if touched at all; _secretly_, too, apart from the scrutiny
of another, and by disinterested friendship alone.

"The Sliver girls make fools of themselves, and of each other," said
Fanny, when Margaret and Susan, arrived at their own house, coldly took
leave of the company.

"I know it," replied Alice. "To think that they will associate with us
girls, pretending to be young, when everybody knows that they are not:
dressing, prinking, reading novels, and making poetry; while their poor
old slave of a mother is making butter and cheese."

"It provokes me when I think of it," answered Fanny; "and how you can
flatter them so, calling their dresses becoming, and their poetry
beautiful, I cannot imagine, when you know, Alice, that it is all a
lie."

"Well," said Alice, laughingly, "I do it for fun. It is so amusing to
see their languishing airs; and then, Fanny, to tell the truth, I have
no objection to people's playing the fool, if it makes them feel
better."

"But I shall hate you, by-and-by," said Fanny, "for being a hypocrite."

"Guess it won't be any put out to you," replied Joshua; "for you are as