Jessie's Parrot Read online

  V.

  _GRANDMAMMA HOWARD._

  The proposal for the fair met with a pretty general approval fromthe parents and friends of the little girls, and they received manypromises of help.

  "Aunt Annie" undertook to show Maggie, Bessie, and Belle how to makeany pretty articles they might wish to undertake. Lily's mamma didthe same for her, and none of the children were left entirely withoutassistance.

  When Jessie came to Miss Ashton with her pretty little wares, shewas told what was proposed, and bidden to have as large a supplyas possible, so that they might be offered for sale with the otherarticles; and the lady and some of her friends kindly bought so manyof those already on hand that Jessie was furnished with the means ofprocuring her materials at once.

  The older class in Mrs. Ashton's room also entered with spirit intothe affair, promising all the assistance that they could give, so thatthere was good prospect it would be a success. The time fixed was thefirst day of June, if the weather should be pleasant; if not, the firstfair day after that.

  One morning Gracie Howard came to school in a state of great excitement.

  "My grandmamma," she said to the other children, "takes the greatestinterest in our fair, and she is going to give us ever so many thingsfor it. She told me to invite you all to come to her house thisafternoon, and she has a whole lot of pieces of silk and ribbons, andworsteds and beads, and ever so many lovely things to divide among us.And what is better still, she says she would like each child to makesome article expressly for her, and she will buy it."

  "Oh, delightful!" "How kind! how nice!" "What a great help!" came fromone and another of her little hearers.

  "And," continued Gracie, warming with her subject, "she wants someparticular things. Two toilet sets of lace and muslin, one lined andtrimmed with blue, the other with pink; and two mats for flower vases,to be exactly alike. I am going to do one of the mats, and grandmammasays she thinks the other one and both the toilet sets had better bemade by some of us older children, because she thinks the little onescan scarcely do them. And she will give ten dollars for the mat that isworked the most nicely and evenly, and nine for the other; eight forthe best toilet set, and seven for the second; and she will give us allthe materials. Just think of that! Why, whoever has the best mat willearn more than the price of Jessie's parrot! I wanted grandmamma to saythat one might have the buying of the parrot for her own part; but shesaid that would not be just to the rest who had a share in the fair;and that she had no right to say so, either. I don't see why, and Ithink she might have let me."

  "Why, you don't know that you will have the nicest mat," said Lily.

  "See if I don't then," said Gracie. "I can work much better than any ofyou, I know."

  "If I didn't live in such a very glass house myself, I'd say_petticoat_ to you," said Lily, who had lately shown a fancy for theuse of proverbs, after the manner of Maggie Bradford.

  Gracie tossed her head, and put on the expression which children call,"turning up their noses."

  She knew very well what Lily meant, how not long since she had boastedof herself, and been so very sure that she would outdo all others, andhow she had miserably failed in the end.

  But, in spite of this consciousness, she was not at all taken downby Lily's reminder, for she felt herself a person of more than usualconsideration and importance that morning; not without more thanordinary reason, was thought by most of her companions, for it wasreally a fine thing to have such a munificent grandmamma, who was readyto do so much for the grand object at present in the minds of each andevery one.

  It was true also, and well known in the school that Gracie did worstedwork remarkably well and evenly for a little girl, and that there wasmore reason than common for her belief that she should outshine allthe others. Still her constant boasting was never agreeable, and Lilyalways would set herself to combat it with all her might.

  "Are not Maggie and Bessie to try with us too?" she asked.

  "Of course," answered Gracie; "they are just as much in the fair as weare; and Maggie works so nicely."

  "Should think she did," said Lily; "better than_a-ny--child--in--the--whole--world_."

  The extreme deliberation with which this was said, made it veryforcible, and gave the remark all the point which was intended. Woe tothe person who, in Lily's hearing, ventured to deny that her particularfriends, Maggie and Bessie Bradford, were not all that was wisest,best, and prettiest.

  "Besides," said Belle, "Bessie was the first to find out Jessie andher grandfather, so it seems as if it was very much her charity andMaggie's. Good-morning, dear Miss Ashton;" and little Belle flew tomeet her teacher, whom she dearly loved, and began to tell her of thisnew and delightful arrangement.

  But she had hardly commenced when she checked herself, and saying,--

  "But it is Gracie's to tell about, and I expect she would like to,"turned to her schoolmate, and allowed her, nothing loath, to take upthe tale.

  Miss Ashton approved, and readily consented to what was proposed; butshe was sorry to see that, as usual, Gracie took the chief credit,and claimed the first place for herself in the new plan; seeming, asbefore, not to have the slightest doubt that her work would be thebest, and bring the highest premium. However, she would say nothing nowto damp the general pleasure and enthusiasm, but called her young flockto the business of the day without reproof or remonstrance.

  On the way home from school, Gracie called to invite Maggie and Bessieto her grandmamma's house that afternoon; and at the appointed hourthe whole "committee," as Maggie called it, were assembled in thedrawing-room of the kind old lady.

  "Now," said Mrs. Howard, "we will settle first who among you are totake these pieces of work. Gracie seemed to think that all who wereable to work nicely would prefer worsted work, so I have here two pairsof mats, as well as the toilet sets; and you may decide for yourselveswhich you will take. As for the younger ones, I will leave it to themto choose the things they will make for me, as each one knows what sheis best able to do."

  Gracie looked dismayed and displeased at the first part of hergrandmother's speech; and, not daring to object aloud, she whispered toHattie, who stood next her,--

  "It's too bad! There grandmamma goes and gives three chances againstme."

  "Never mind, you'll have the first," answered Hattie; "you know youwork better than any of the others."

  "How many of you," continued the old lady, "are able to do worsted worknicely?"

  "I can, grandmamma, _very_ nicely," said Gracie promptly, while theothers, more modest and shy, looked from one to another.

  "Maggie Bradford works very nicely, ma'am," said Nellie Ransom.

  "And so do you too, my dear, if I'm not mistaken," said Mrs. Howard."Would you like to do one of the mats?"

  "If you please, ma'am," said Nellie, and stepping up, Mrs. Howard gaveher her choice among the mats.

  "Ah! you have made the same choice as Gracie," said the old lady."Well, we shall see who will do the best. Gracie, take the mat, mydear. Now for the other pair. Maggie, will you have one?"

  But Maggie held back a little; and at length, with many blushes said,that she would prefer to take one of the toilet sets, because Bessiewas anxious to help her, and she could do some of the easy sewing onthe ruffles, but she could not do worsted work evenly enough to go withher own.

  Dora took one of the second pair of mats; and Hattie, who was nextin age, and who knew very little about embroidering, chose the othertoilet set, as she believed she could do that better than the mat.

  Maggie looked wishfully at this, and Mrs. Howard saw the look.

  "Would you like to take this also, Maggie, dear?" she said. "Youdeserve some reward for being so unselfish, and if it is not too muchfor you to undertake, you are quite welcome to try it."

  "Oh no, ma'am!" said Maggie with brightening eyes; "we have nearlyseven weeks, you know, and with Bessie's help, and Aunt Annie toarrange all the work for me, I think I could do both. But I don't carefor a reward, Mrs. Howard,
for you know if Jessie and her grandfatherhave the money, it does not make much difference who does the most."

  "No, truly," said Mrs. Howard; "and it is not that you may strive tooutdo one another that I make these offers, but only that you may alltry your best to have the work well done. I am an old-fashioned woman,my dears, and I like to see every little girl brought up to use herneedle properly, and to keep her things in order; so I say that it isnot so much the beauty of the work, as the care and neatness with whichit is done that I shall look at. Keep it from spot or stain, or frombeing frayed or rubbed; this you can all do with proper care."

  Then Mrs. Howard repeated how much she would give for each article,promising also once more to buy some pretty trifle from each of theyounger children; and they all felt as if a large sum was alreadysecure for Jessie and her grandfather.

  After this, the treasures of lace, muslin, ribbons, flowers, beads,and worsteds of all colors were displayed to their delighted eyes,and divided with as much fairness as was possible. Not a child butcarried home with her a most precious package, already in the eyes ofthe little ones transformed into many an article of use and beauty forthe benefit of old Malcolm and his grandchild. The fair was now theall-absorbing subject of thought and conversation among Miss Ashton'syoung scholars and their little friends, Maggie and Bessie Bradford;and a fit of uncommon industry had seized upon each and every one.

  But, one morning, only two days after the meeting of the young peopleat her house, Mrs. Howard was surprised to hear that Maggie Bradfordwanted to see her; and ordering her to be shown in, the little girlentered, followed by her sister and nurse.

  Maggie looked flushed and uncomfortable, and held a small parcel inher hand; but, after she had said good-morning to Mrs. Howard a fit ofshyness came over her, and she could not tell her errand.

  So Bessie spoke for her.

  "Mrs. Howard," said the little girl, who was herself rather confused,but who felt bound to help Maggie out of her trouble, "Maggie has cometo bring you back the mat. She thinks it is rather better for her notto do it."

  "Did you find you had undertaken too much, Maggie, my dear?" asked theold lady encouragingly.

  "N-n-no, ma'am," whispered Maggie, plucking up a few crumbs of courageas she heard the kind tone, "no, it was not that; but we thought I'dbetter bring it back to you."

  "But you must have some reason," said Mrs. Howard. "Can you not tell mewhat it is? Has Gracie been saying any thing unkind to you?"

  "Gracie has not said any thing to me about it, ma'am," said Maggierather evasively.

  "Please don't ask us, Mrs. Howard," said Bessie gravely. "Maggie and Ioverturned our minds about it, and thought we'd better bring back themat; but we do not want to tell tales."

  "Then I shall not ask," said Mrs. Howard; but from the very fact thatBessie had innocently begged that they might not be pressed to "telltales," she felt that her suspicions were tolerably correct. Gracie'sdesire to be _first_, and the fear that others should excel, or evenequal her, were becoming so great that they often blinded her to whatwas just and kind.

  "There are plenty of pretty things that we can make, Mrs. Howard," saidMaggie, "and I would rather not do any thing that any one might thinkwas not my share."

  "Very well, dear, as you please," answered the old lady; "but since youdo not choose to make this I shall not give it to any one else."

  When Maggie and Bessie had gone, the old lady put on her bonnetand went around to her son's house, where she found her littlegrand-daughter at home.

  "Gracie," she said, after a little talk, "Maggie Bradford came to seeme just now, bringing back the mat which she was to have worked for thefair. Do you know any reason why she should have done so?"

  "Why, no, grandmamma!" answered Gracie, turning her eyes upon hergrandmother in unfeigned and unmistakable surprise, which left no doubtof the perfect truth of her answer.

  "Think," said the old lady, believing that she might have forgotten."You know you were not pleased that I should give Maggie the two thingsto make for me; have you said any thing that could hurt her feelings,and show her that you were displeased?"

  "I never said one word to Maggie about the mat, grandmamma," saidGracie, "and I can't see how"--she paused, as if struck by some suddenthought, and coloring, added uneasily--"I did talk to Hattie about it,and I was rather provoked, because I did not see why Maggie shouldhave a better chance than the rest to make so much for the fair.And--and--perhaps Hattie went and told Maggie; but it was real mean ofher if she did; and besides there was nothing for Maggie to be so madat, and make such a fuss about."

  "Maggie was not 'mad,' as you call it, Gracie; so far from it that shewould say nothing to throw blame upon you or any one else," said hergrandmother; "but it was plain that she had been vexed and hurt."

  "Gracie," said her mother who sat by, "it would be a sad thing if _you_should show yourself so wanting in feeling and gratitude as to sayunkind things of Maggie, or to injure her in any way, especially insuch a matter as this."

  "Well, mamma, and I'm sure I wouldn't," said Gracie, with a littlepout. "I am very fond of Maggie, and I wouldn't do a thing to her; butI did feel rather provoked about the mat, only I did not mean her toknow it. I'm just going to ask Hattie if she told her what I said."

  Gracie was really uncomfortable. She remembered that she had in amoment of pettishness, made one or two remarks to Hattie which shewould not have cared to make in Maggie's hearing; but she would notwillingly have offended the latter. She knew very well to what hermother referred when she spoke of Maggie. How a year ago when aprize had been offered for composition by Miss Ashton's uncle, sheand Maggie had been believed to stand far ahead of the rest; how herown composition, all ready for presentation, had been lost, and thatthrough her own inordinate vanity; how Maggie and Bessie had found it,and like the honorable little girls they were, had brought it at onceto her, although they believed that by so doing Maggie was deprived ofall chance of the much wished-for prize. It was true that neither shenor Maggie had gained it, for it had fallen to Nellie Ransom; but thatdid not lessen, or should not have lessened, Gracie's gratitude to herlittle friend; and as her mother said, it ill became her to nurse anyfeeling of jealousy towards Maggie.

  "Gracie," said her mother, "can you remember exactly what you saidabout Maggie?"

  "No, mamma," answered the child, looking thoughtful and a littletroubled; "but it was not much, I think."

  "I am afraid," said Mrs. Howard, "that a very little sometimes becomesmuch in Hattie's keeping. I do not know that she really wishes to makemischief, but her love of talking and her want of strict truthfulnesslead her to exaggerate, and also, I fear, to repeat many a thing with avery different meaning from that which the speaker intended. The moreI see of her, the plainer does this become to me; and I fear, Gracie,that she is not a safe friend for you."

  "Mamma," said Gracie, in a tone of some offence, "you'd never thinkthat Hattie could make _me_ learn to tell stories, do you? Why, I nevertold a falsehood in my life, and I'm sure I'd never think of doing sucha thing."

  "I am sure I hope not, my child," said her mother, "but I feartemptation for you, Gracie; and I think Hattie encourages you in yourgreat fault, your self-conceit and desire for admiration. And, althoughI do not think that you ever mean to be untruthful, my daughter, youridea of your own merits often leads you into exaggeration of these, andmakes you unwilling to see them in others."

  Gracie pouted, and put on the expression she always wore if she werefound fault with.

  "Mamma," she said, "I think that is a very horrid character to give anyone; and I am sure you need not think I ever could tell a falsehood ordo any thing mean to any one."

  "I do not say you would, Gracie. I only want you to beware oftemptation."

  "I shan't fall into temptation, no fear of that," said Gracie almostscornfully; not scorn of her mother, but of the idea that she was notquite able to take care of herself, and that she could be led intowrong-doing.

  "And I shall be oblig
ed to say," continued Mrs. Howard, "that I do notthink it best for you to be so much with Hattie. She is doing you nogood. I cannot keep you apart altogether, but you must not ask me tolet you have her here so often, nor can I allow you to go to her houseas much as you have done. When I see you have a more gentle and humblespirit, Gracie, and learning to stand by another strength than yourown, I may not so much fear evil companionship for you; but this verybelief that you cannot fall makes you all the more ready to do so."

  Gracie flounced out of the room in high displeasure, muttering toherself as she went upstairs that her mother always thought "every onebetter than me," and "it was very unjust," and "just as if I could fallinto the temptation of telling a story."

  Mrs. Howard sighed, and looked troubled, as she well might; and so didgrandmamma, as they talked together on this subject, and consideredwhat was best to be done with Gracie. Her overwhelming desire foradmiration; her wish to be first in every thing; her self-conceit andimpatience of reproof were day by day growing stronger and stronger,and overrunning all that was fair and lovely in her character. It was,as the mother had said, difficult to break off all intercourse betweenher and Hattie, although it was certain that the latter was exercisingno good influence on Gracie; for the two families were intimate, andit was impossible, without giving offence, to keep the two childrenentirely apart. Moreover, they were schoolmates, and had grown reallyfond of one another, although Gracie was losing confidence in Hattie,as she could not but perceive that she had by no means a strict regardfor truth.

  But little did Gracie dream that Hattie's influence or example couldever lead her astray in this way.