But what cause had you for thinking this letter was from Mrs.Jackson ?" "The two names are so near alike, and then Mrs.Jackson speaks about--." Here Mary caught herself, and crimsoned still deeper.
"That is," said I, "you took the liberty of peeping into my letter before you gave it to me; and this is not your first offence of the kind." Mary was too much confounded to speak, or make any effort to excuse herself; and so thought it best to retire.
I called to see Mrs.Jackson that day.

She gave Mary a good character, as far as honesty was concerned; but stated plainly her faults, especially her bad habit of wearing her clothes and trinkets, for which offence, in a moment of indignation, she had dismissed her from her service.
I saw no reason to send Mary away.

But I gave her a "good talking." I think she is pretty well cured of her propensity of reading other people's letters..