Gem of Neatness: The Cousins

MRS. MORGAN stood at the door of her little daughter's chamber, a bright smile of satisfaction illumining her countenance. Presently she stepped back into the hall, and, leaning over the balustrade, called out: "Cousin Mary, come up here a moment." A light step on the stairs, and cousin Mary stood by her side. "This is Emily's room," said her mamma"just as she left it for school. Everything has a place, and is in its place." Mrs. Roby, who was cousin Mary, entered the neat chamber, her eyes beaming with pleasure. "It looks just like Emily," she said in an enthusiastic tone. "See! That book-rack,How very even the row of volumes, and not one speck of dust on them;and this tiny vase, with one carnation-pink! Priscilla, your daughter is a jewel of a girl as our old Pat used to say. Her habit of neatness and order will be worth a fortune to her." "She is naturally neat and orderly," added Mrs. Morgan. "When she was not more than three years old, she used to want to help when I dusted the parlors. I always take that duty on myself, you know. So Emily must have an old veil tied over her golden curls, because mamma wore a veil to keep off the dust; and she must have a piece of silk for a duster. It was too funny to see her fly from one chair to another, just as soon as I had dusted it, and rub, rub, with all her strength." "Does she take the entire care of her room?" "Yes, now she does," answered mamma. "Hannah used to open the bed, and turn the mattress; but she was so anxious to do it all; and sometimes she had to wait for Hannah to get through with other work, so her father had the mattress carried to the upholsterer's, and cut in two parts. She can lift it now without any difficulty."

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