I do not believe there are any servants who break things on purpose. It is always by accident, and an accident should be excused. EDWARD. It is pure good-nature certainly. A careless servant will then with you never do wrong. But my aunt, I think, ought to know what is broken. CHARLES. I intend to tell her; and to ask her to forgive the person who did it through thoughtlessness. EDWARD. And the person was one of the servants, who was it? CHARLES. Suppose I should say you have done the mischief yourself? EDWARD. I—That is truly a fine story. CHARLES. Did you not take a plate off the sideboard to carry your dog some meat on: and did you not leave it near the hall door on a chair? EDWARD. Yes. But what of that? CHARLES. The servant in the dark threw it down. EDWARD. And could I help that? How came he to go in the dark? EMILIA. That we all do very often. You are to blame, the plate was set in an improper place; the servant could not imagine that it stood there. EDWARD. You are always prating, Miss.—But, Charles, my aunt need not hear of it, she will not miss a plate. CHARLES. Edward!—ah Edward! you were in a hurry to inform her when you imagined the blame would fall on another; but you are less eager now you must bear the reproof yourself. Let this teach you not to be severe on others, as this accident must convince you, that you are not faultless. It is our own faults which make us so ready to mark the errors our fellow-creatures run into. The supper came in, and during the repast, Charles mentioned the accident; and a slight caution from Lady Grandison concluded the conversation. WILLIAM. LETTER XXXII. WILLIAM _to his_ MOTHER. Charles has played Emilia and me a fine trick this morning, dear mother. Dr. Bartlett generally rises with the sun to take a walk before breakfast; Charles, who was this morning just awake, heard him. He rose softly out of bed, hurried on his clothes, and ran down to ask him, in both our names, if we might go with him; to which he consented. It was hardly light. Charles knocked at his sister’s chamber door, Emilia, Emilia! are you still asleep, you little think it is almost ten o’clock. Oh! cried Emilia, what shall I do? I am afraid my mama will be angry with me. Come dress yourself quickly, said Charles, I will speak a good word for you. Emilia was quickly dressed; she was ashamed of being so lazy.