 | Life and sayings of Mrs. Partington and others
of the family |  |
UNPOPULAR DOCTRINE.
“I was surprised, Mr. Roger, to see you speaking
with that creature,” said Miss Prim, significantly emphasizing
the word.
“Why, madam?” asked the old man.
“Because she is a low, vile creature of the town,”
said she, waspily.
He took her hand within his own, and looked her
calmly in the eye, as he replied: — “Call her not vile;
call her miserable, rather; and as such she is more worthy
of your regard and pity; for, though she may have sadly
erred, she still is not all depraved; that old spark of
sympathy in her heart is there yet unquenched. I have
seen her not long since watch by the sick, work for the
needy, and give her money for their relief; take her own
bread and give it to a poor felon in prison, and comfort
a little child in its sinless sorrow; — I have seen this,
and, bad as you think she is, I can honor her for her
virtues. My dear madam, gain her good qualities, and
add them to your own perfections, before presuming to
sit in judgment on her bad ones. Besides, do you know
what temptation is, ma'am; were you ever tempted?”
The frosty look which met his own seemed to render
such a question unnecessary, and he released her hand,
gently advising her to exercise more of charity in her
estimate of character.
| Life and sayings of Mrs. Partington and others
of the family | |