'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."
Such complaints were frequent; and at last the good Dora answered all,
by begging the mother to have patience both with herself and with the
child. "This truthfulness," said she, "is of excellent quality, but it
is now rough from the quarry. By-and-by charity will make its rough
places smooth; for love not only refines and purifies, but it
_polishes_ the hewn stone after the similitude of a palace."
Mrs. Lindsay did not understand these words, and derived but little
comfort therefrom. She could not see how Emma's bluntness was to be
refined, save by putting her into fashion's crucible; and this she more
than once resolved to do, at any risk. With this resolution, however,
there always came a fearfulness, which seemed a warning voice from the
tomb, bidding her "beware;" and to this voice of warning she took
reluctant heed.
Pursuing a quiet course of study under private tutors, Emma was still
left morally and physically to the care of her pious friend.
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