I was told (for the mother was proud of bringing up her
child so genteelly) that the daughter had almost forgotten how to
sew, and that a woman was hired into the house to do her mending! 'But
why,' said I, 'have you suffered your daughter to be ignorant of so
useful an employment? If she is poor, the knowledge will be necessary
to her; if she is rich, it is the easiest thing in the world to lay it
aside, if she chooses; she will merely be a better judge whether her
work is well done by others.' 'That is true,' replied the mother; 'and
I always meant she should learn; but she never has seemed to have any
time. When she was eight years old, she could put a shirt together
pretty well; but since that, her music, and her dancing, and her
school, have taken up her whole time. I did mean she should learn
some domestic habits this winter; but she has so many visiters, and is
obliged to go out so much, that I suppose I must give it up. I don't
like to say too much about it; for, poor girl! she does so love
company, and she does so hate anything like care and confinement!
_Now_ is her time to enjoy herself, you know.
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