The Governess; Or, The Little Female AcademyFielding, Sarah
General
The Governess; Or, The Little Female Academy
Fielding, Sarah
Didactic fiction; Girls' schools -- Fiction; Governesses -- Fiction; School children -- Fiction; Schools -- Fiction
‘It is very true what Miss Jenny Peace says; for I am always uneasy. I
don’t sleep in quiet because I am always thinking, either that I have
not my share of what is given us, or that I cannot be revenged on any of
the girls that offend me. And when I quarrel with them, I am scratched
and bruised; or reproached. And what do I get by all this? Why, I
scratch, bruise, and reproach them in my turn. Is not that gain enough?
I warrant I hurt them as much as they hurt me. But then indeed, as Miss
Jenny says, if I could make these girls my friends, and did not wish
to hurt them, I certainly might live a quieter, and perhaps a happier,
life. But what then, have I been always in the wrong all my lifetime?
for I always quarrelled and hated everyone who had offended me. Oh! I
cannot bear that thought! It is enough to make me mad! when I imagined
myself so wise and so sensible, to find out that I have been always a
fool. If I think a moment longer about it, I shall die with grief and
shame. I must think myself in the right; and I will too. But, as Miss
Jenny says, I really am unhappy; for I hate all my schoolfellows; and
yet I dare not do them any mischief; for my mistress will punish me
severely if I do. I should not so much mind that neither; but then those
I intend to hurt will triumph over me, to see me punished for their
sakes. In short, the more I reflect, the more I am afraid Miss Jenny is
in the right; and yet it breaks my heart to think so.’
Here the poor girl wept so bitterly, and was so heartily grieved, that
she could not utter one word more; but sat herself down, reclining her
head upon her hand, in the most melancholy posture that could be; nor
could she close her eyes all night, but lay tossing and raving with the
thought how she should act, and what she should say to Miss Jenny the
next day.
When the morning came, Miss Sukey dreaded every moment, as the time drew
nearer when she must meet Miss Jenny. She knew it would not be possible
to resist her arguments; and yet shame for having been in fault overcame
her.
As soon as Miss Jenny saw Miss Sukey with her eyes cast down, and
confessing, by a look of sorrow, that she would take her advice, she
embraced her kindly; and, without giving her the trouble to speak, took
it for granted, that she would leave off quarreling, be reconciled to
her schoolfellows, and make herself happy.
Miss Sukey did indeed stammer out some words, which implied a confession
of her fault; but they were spoke so low they could hardly be heard;
only Miss Jenny, who always chose to look at the fairest side of
her companions’ actions, by Miss Sukey’s look and manner guessed her
meaning.
In the same manner did this good girl, Jenny, persuade, one by one, all
her schoolfellows to be reconciled to each with sincerity and love.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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