the governess-第2章
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r 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 increase； Mrs。 Teachum's anger。 The guilty persons now began all to excuse themselves as fast as tears and sobs would permit them。
One said； 'Indeed； madam； it was none of my fault； for I did not begin； for Miss Sukey Jennett； without any cause in the world （for I did nothing to provoke her）； hit me a great slap in the face； and made my tooth ache； the pain DID make me angry； and then； indeed； I hit her a little tap； but it was on her back； and I am sure it was the smallest tap in the world and could not possibly hurt her half so much as her great blow did me。'
'Law； miss！' replied Miss Jennett； 'how can you say so？ when you know that you struck me first； and that yours was the great blow； and mine the little tap； for I only went to defend myself from your monstrous blows。'
Such like defences they would all have made for themselves； each insisting on not being in fault； and throwing the blame on her companion； but Mrs。 Teachum silenced them by a positive command； and told them； that she saw they were all equally guilty； and as such would treat them。
Mrs。 Teachum's method of punishing I never could find out。 But this is certain； the most severe punishment she had ever inflicted on any misses； since she had kept a school； was now laid on these wicked girls； who had been thus fighting； and pulling one another to pieces； for a sorry apple。
The first thing she did was to take away all the apples； telling them； that before they had any more instances of such kindness from her； they should give her proofs of their deserving them better。 And when she had punished them as much as she thought proper； she made them all embrace one another； and promise to be friends for the future； which； in obedience to her commands； they were forced to comply with； though there remained a grudge and ill…will in their bosoms； every one thinking she was punished most； although she would have it； that she deserved to be punished least； and they continued all the sly tricks they could think on to vex and tease each other。
A DIALOGUE BETWEEN MISS JENNY PEACE AND MISS SUKEY JENNETT； WHEREIN THE LATTER IS AT LAST CONVINCED OF HER OWN FOLLY IN BEING SO QUARRELSOME； AND； BY HER EXAMPLE； ALL HER COMPANIONS ARE BROUGHT TO SEE AND CONFESS THEIR FAULT。
The next morning Miss Jenny Peace used her utmost endeavours to bring her schoolfellows to be heartily reconciled； but in vain： for each insisted on it； that she was not to blame； but that the whole quarrel arose from the faults of others。 At last ensued the following dialogue between Miss Jenny Peace and Miss Sukey Jennett； which brought about Miss Jenny's designs； and which we recommend to the consideration of all our young readers。
MISS JENNY。 Now pray； Miss Sukey； tell me； what did you get by your contention and quarrel about that foolish apple？
MISS SUKEY。 Indeed； ma'am； I shall not answer you； I know that you only want to prove； that you are wiser than I； because you are older。 But I don't know but some people may understand as much at eleven years old as others at thirteen： but； because you are the oldest in the school； you always want to be tutoring and governing。 I don't like to have more than one governess； and if I obey my mistress； I think that is enough。
MISS JENNY。 Indeed； my dear； I don't want to govern you； nor to prove myself wiser than you； I only want that instead of quarrelling； and making yourself miserable； you should live at peace and be happy。 Therefore； pray do answer my question； whether you get anything by your quarrel？
MISS SUKEY。 No I cannot say I got anything by it： for my mistress was angry； and punished me； and my hair was pulled off； and my clothes torn in the scuffle； neither did I value the apple； but yet I have too much spirit to be imposed on。 I am sure I had as good a right to it as any of the others； and I would not give up my right to anyone。
MISS JENNY。 But don't you know； Miss Sukey； it would have shown much more spirit to have yielded the apple to another； than to have fought about it？ Then indeed you would have proved your sense； for you would have shown； that you had too much understanding to fight about a trifle。 Then your clothes had been whole； your hair not torn from your head； your mistress had not been angry； nor had your fruit been taken away from you。
MISS SUKEY。 And so； miss； you would fain prove； that it is wisest to submit to everybody that would impose upon one？ But I will not believe ii； say what you will。
MISS JENNY。 But is not what I say true？ If you had not been in the battle； would not your clothes have been whole； your hair not torn； your mistress pleased with you； and the apples your own？
Here Miss Sukey paused for some time： for as Miss Jenny was in the right and had truth on her side； it was difficult for Miss Sukey to know what to answer。 For it is impossible； without being very silly； to contradict truth； and yet Miss Sukey was so foolish； that she did not care to own herself in the wrong； though nothing could have been so great a sign of her understanding。
When Miss Jenny saw her thus at a loss for an answer； she was in hopes of making her companion happy； for； as she had as much good nature as understanding； that was her design。 She therefore pursued her discourse in the following manner：
MISS JENNY。 Pray； Miss Sukey； do answer me one question more。 Don't you lie awake at nights； and fret and vex yourself； because you are angry with your school…fellows？ Are not you restless and uneasy； because you cannot find a safe method to be revenged on them； without being punished yourself？ Do tell me truly； is not this your case？
MISS SUKEY。 Yes it is。 For if I could but hurt my enemies； without being hurt myself； it would be the greatest pleasure I could have in the world。
MISS JENNY。 Oh fie； Miss Sukey！ What you have now said is wicked。 Don't you consider what you say every day in your prayers'？ And this way of thinking will make you lead a very uneasy life。 If you would hearken to me； I could put you into a method of being very happy； and making all those misses you call your enemies； become your friends。
MISS SUKEY。 You could tell me a method； miss？ Do you think I don't know as well as you what is fit to be done？ I believe I am as capable of finding the way to be happy； as you are of teaching me。
Here Miss Sukey burst into tears； that anybody should presume to tell her the way to be happy。
MISS JENNY。 Upon my word； my dear； I don't mean to vex you； but only； instead of tormenting yourself all night in laying plots to revenge yourself； I would have you employ this one night in thinking of what I have said。 Nothing will show your sense so much； as to own that you have been in the wrong。 Nor will anything prove a right spirit so much。 as to confess your fault。 All the misses will be your friends； and perhaps follow your example。 Then you will have the pleasure of having caused the quiet of the whole school； your governess will love you； and you will be at peace in your mind； and never have any more foolish quarrels； in which you all get nothing but blows and uneasiness。
Miss Sukey began now to find； that Miss Jenny was in the right； and she herself in the wrong； but yet she was so proud she would not own it。 Nothing could be s
