And the lecture would have done as well by candle-light, which seldom can be said of any gardening.

However, she took off her hat, and sat down, without the least sign of impatience, and without any token of guilt, as her mother saw, and yet stupidly proceeded just the same.
"Mary," she began, with a gaze of stern discretion, which the girl met steadfastly and pleasantly, "you know that I am your own mother, and bound to look after you well, while you are so very young; for though you are sensible some ways, Mary, in years and in experience what are you but a child?
Of the traps of the world and the wickedness of people you can have no knowledge.

You always think the best of everybody; which is a very proper thing to do, and what I have always brought you up to, and never would dream of discouraging.

And with such examples as your father and your mother, you must be perverse to do otherwise.

Still, it is my duty to warn you, Mary--and you are getting old enough to want it--that the world is not made up of fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, and good uncles.