Читать книгу Decision онлайн

5 страница из 31

"I remember it all, tho' I can't repeat it."

"And how much of it do you understand?"

"A great deal, sir; and I hope—I intend"——

"To listen to my advice—hey?"

"Indeed I do—I will say to myself every morning, 'duty is imperative.'"

"Very good—but Maria, pray what are the imperative duties, which you are, I take it, at this very moment prescribing to that little curious heart of yours?"

Maria's countenance answered in the first instance by a deep blush, but on casting her eyes around, and perceiving that every person was engaged with talking, or tea-drinking, her tongue also found the power of reply, and she answered,

"I think it is my duty not to lament dear Sharon-Lacey, in Ireland, and the pretty gardens, and the hounds, and the people—and not to run about so wildly—nor play by ear instead of notes, and to take more pains in reading French."

"And how will you manage to fulfil this very good catalogue of your present duties?"

"How? why by setting a good resolution, by doing every thing in the world that can make my mamma happy. Is that the meaning of all you said?"