child; and for a time her mother's vanity was gratified by having her
brought from the nursery to her drawing-rooms, to be caressed, admired,
and praised for her smart speeches; but after a time her truth-telling
propensity became too evident. The polite occupants of the drawing-room
began to whisper among themselves that Miss Emma was a spoiled child,
and had better be kept in the nursery.

Mrs. Lindsay was soon of the same opinion; for scarcely a day passed
when Emma's truthfulness did not prove a nettle to her own vanity.

"The child is rude," she would say to Dora,--"insufferably so. She told
Madame A. that she looked like an apple-tree; which might have been
taken for a compliment, had not the saucy little sprite explained
herself by pointing to that old tree in the garden which the flowering
shrubbery has decked with every variety of blossom: Mrs. A. is
extremely fond of fancy colors. And when I took her to Bowker's the
other day, that sick Miss Ellenwood was examining his new French goods,
and called my attention to a splendid piece of muslin, and asked if it
was not of beautiful texture. 'Dear Miss Ellen-wood,' interposed Emma;
'you will not want a _figured_ muslin for a _coffin_ dress.' Think of
that, Dora."

"Well, my dear madam," replied Dora; "the child heard some of your
friends say that this vain sick girl, who is spending all her slender
income in dress, would want money soon to pay for a shroud."

"Certainly, Dora, that has frequently been said; but the child should
know better than give such a hint to the young lady herself! Several
ladies were in the store, and I felt extremely mortified and shocked."