Now and then there is a great dressing and curling ; and then I see her prancing away in her light boots , smart hat , and pretty dress , looking as fresh as a daisy . But I do n't admire her ; for I 've been behind the scenes , you see , and I know that she likes to be fine rather than neat . So is the girl who torments her kitty , slaps her sister , and runs away when her mother tells her not to go out of the yard . But the house-wifely little girl who tends the baby , washes the cups , and goes to school early with a sunshiny face and kiss all round , she , now , is a neighbour worth having , and I 'd put a good mark against her name if I knew it . I do n't know as it would be proper for me to mention the grown-up people over the way . They go on very much as the children do ; for there is the lazy , dandified man , who gets up late , and drinks ; the cross man , who swears at the shed-door when it wo n't shut ; the fatherly man , who sits among his children every evening , and the cheery old man up in the attic , who has a flower in his window , and looks out at the world with very much the same serene smile as my orange-coloured baby . The women , too , keep house , make calls , and play mother ; and some do n't do it well either . The forlorn baby 's mamma never seems to cuddle and comfort him ; and some day , when the little fist lies cold and quiet , I 'm afraid she 'll wish she had . Then the naughty boy 's mother . I 'm very sure , if she put her arms round him sometimes , and smoothed that rough head of his , and spoke to him as only mothers can speak , that it would tame him far better than the scoldings and thrashings : for I know there is a true boy 's heart , warm and tender , somewhere under the jacket that gets dusted so often . As for the fine lady who lets her children do as they can , while she trims her bonnet , or makes panniers , I would n't be introduced to her on any account . But as some might think it was unjustifiable curiosity on my part to see these things , and an actionable offence to speak of them , I wo n't mention them . I sometimes wonder if the kind spirits who feel an interest in mortals ever take a look at us on the shady side which we do n't show the world , seeing the trouble , vanities , and sins which we think no one knows . If they love , pity , or condemn us ? What records they keep , and what rewards they prepare for those who are so busy with their work and play that they forget who may be watching their back windows with clearer eyes and truer charity than any inquisitive old lady with a pen in her hand ? LITTLE MARIE OF LEHON . ` Here comes our pretty little girl , ' I said to Kate , as we sat resting on the seat beside the footpath that leads from Dinan on the hill to Lehon in the valley . Yes , there she was , trotting toward us in her round cap , blue woollen gown , white apron , and wooden shoes . On her head was a loaf of buckwheat bread as big as a small wheel , in one hand a basket full of green stuff , while the other led an old goat , who seemed in no hurry to get home . We had often seen this rosy , bright-eyed child , had nodded to her , but never spoken , for she looked rather shy , and always seemed in haste .
Now the sight of the goat reminded us of an excuse for addressing her , and as she was about to pass with the respectful little curtsey of the country , my friend XXXXX in French : -- ` Stay please .
'm 've comes keep looks said shut smoothed washes watching