If a chair was to be placed, it would be parallel to something; she was exceedingly sensitive to a line out of the perpendicular, and could detect the slightest deviation from that rule.

She had also a sensitive eye in the matter of color, and felt any lack of harmony in the colors worn by those about her.
Maria was always ready to "bear the brunt," and could at any time be coaxed by the younger children to do the things which they found difficult or disagreeable.
The two youngest children in the family were delicate, and the special care of the youngest sister devolved upon Maria, who knew how to be a good nurse as well as a good playfellow.

She was especially careful of a timid child; she herself was timid, and, throughout her life, could never witness a thunder-storm with any calmness.
On one of those occasions so common in an American household, when the one servant suddenly takes her leave, or is summarily dismissed, Miss Mitchell describes her part of the family duties: "Oct.

21, 1854.

This morning I arose at six, having been half asleep only for some hours, fearing that I might not be up in time to get breakfast, a task which I had volunteered to do the preceding evening.
It was but half light, and I made a hasty toilet.