I had given a quick, convulsive start as the first tones fell upon my ear, and now sat bending over my sewing like a chidden child, almost afraid to look up.  I was one of those unlucky mortals who bear the blame of everything wrong they witness; and having, in tender infancy, been suddenly seized upon in Sunday school by the superintendent, and placed in a conspicuous situation of disgrace for looking at a companion who was performing some strange antic, but who possessed one of those india-rubber faces that, after twisting themselves into all possible, or rather impossible shapes, immediately become straight the moment any one observes them—­having, I say, met with this mortifying exposure, it gave me a shock which I have not to this day recovered; and I cannot now see any one start up hastily in pursuit of another without fancying myself the culprit, and trembling accordingly.  This sudden movement, therefore, of my grandmother’s threw me into an alarming state of terror, and, quite still and subdued, I sat industriously stitching, all the morning after.

“Dear me!” said my mother with a sigh, “how much better you make them mind than I can.”

“I see, Amy,” said my grandmother kindly, “that your influence is very weak—­the care of of so large a family has prevented you from attending to each one properly.  You perceive the effect of a little well-timed authority, and I do not despair of you yet.  You are naturally,” she continued, “amiable and indolent, and though gentleness is certainly agreeable and interesting, yet a constant succession of sweets cannot fail to cloy, and engender a taste for something sharper and more wholesome.”

Delicacy prevented me from remaining to hear my mother advised and lectured, and the rest of my grandmother’s discourse was therefore lost to me; but whatever it was, I soon perceived its beneficial results—­the children were no longer permitted to roam indiscriminately through all parts of the house—­certain rooms were proof againt their invasions—­they became less troublesome and exacting, and far more companionable.  The worried look gradually cleared from my mother’s brow, and as my grandmother was extremely fond of sight-seeing, visiting, tea-drinkings, and everything in the shape of company, she persevered in dragging her daughter out day after day, until she made her enjoy it almost as much as herself.  Old acquaintances were hunted up and brought to light, and new ones made through the exertions of my grandmother, who, in consequence of such a sociable disposition, soon became very popular.  The young ones were banished to the nursery; and, as they were no longer allowed to spend their days in eating, there was far less sickness among them, and our family doctor’s bill decreased amazingly.