the Isles of the Church to keep myself warm; and though I went into the Vault, and trod on Lady Ducklington’s Coffin, I saw no Ghost, and I believe it was owing to the Reason Mr. Long has given you, namely, that there is no such Thing to be seen.  As to my Part, I would as soon lie all Night in the Church as in any other Place; and I am sure that any little Boy or Girl, who is good, and loves GOD Almighty, and keeps his Commandments, may as safely lie in the Church, or the Church-yard, as any where else, if they take Care not to get Cold; for I am sure there are no Ghosts, either to hurt, or to frighten them; though any one possessed of Fear might have taken Neighbour Saunderson’s Dog with his cold Nose for a Ghost; and if they had not been undeceived, as I was, would never have thought otherwise.  All the Company acknowledged the Justness of the Observation, and thanked Little Two-Shoes for her Advice.

REFLECTION.

After this, my dear Children, I hope you will not believe any foolish Stories that ignorant, weak, or designing People may tell you about Ghosts; for the Tales of Ghosts, Witches, and Fairies, are the Frolicks of a distempered Brain.  No wise Man ever saw either of them.  Little Margery you see was not afraid; no, she had good Sense, and a good Conscience, which is a Cure for all these imaginary Evils.

CHAP.  VIII.

Of something which happened to Little Two-Shoes_
in a Barn, more dreadful than the Ghost in the Church;
and how she returned Good for Evil to her Enemy Sir_ Timothy.

Some Days after this a more dreadful Accident befel Little Madge.  She happened to be coming late from teaching, when it rained, thundered, and lightened, and therefore she took Shelter in a Farmer’s Barn at a Distance from the Village.  Soon after, the Tempest drove in four Thieves, who, not seeing such a little creep-mouse Girl as Two-Shoes, lay down on the Hay next to her, and began to talk over their Exploits, and to settle Plans for future Robberies.  Little Margery on hearing them, covered herself with Straw.  To be sure she was sadly frighted, but her good Sense taught her, that the only Security she had was in keeping herself concealed; therefore she laid very still, and breathed very softly.  About Four o’Clock these wicked People came to a Resolution to break both Sir William Dove’s House, and Sir Timothy Gripe’s, and by Force of Arms to carry off all their Money, Plate and Jewels; but as it was thought then too late, they agreed to defer it till the next Night.  After laying this Scheme they all set out upon their Pranks, which greatly rejoiced Margery, as it would any other little Girl in her Situation.  Early in the Morning she went to Sir William, and told him the whole of their Conversation.  Upon which, he asked her Name, gave her Something, and bid