Do let me, mamma!' 'But, my love, you have not learned to take care of _yourself _yet: and young children require more judgment and experience to manage than elder ones.' 'But, mamma, I am above eighteen, and quite able to take care of myself, and others too.

You do not know half the wisdom and prudence I possess, because I have never been tried.' 'Only think,' said Mary, 'what would you do in a house full of strangers, without me or mamma to speak and act for you--with a parcel of children, besides yourself, to attend to; and no one to look to for advice?
You would not even know what clothes to put on.' 'You think, because I always do as you bid me, I have no judgment of my own: but only try me--that is all I ask--and you shall see what I can do.' At that moment my father entered and the subject of our discussion was explained to him.
'What, my little Agnes a governess!' cried he, and, in spite of his dejection, he laughed at the idea.
'Yes, papa, don't _you_ say anything against it: I should like it so much; and I am sure I could manage delightfully.' 'But, my darling, we could not spare you.' And a tear glistened in his eye as he added--'No, no! afflicted as we are, surely we are not brought to that pass yet.' 'Oh, no!' said my mother.

'There is no necessity whatever for such a step; it is merely a whim of her own.

So you must hold your tongue, you naughty girl; for, though you are so ready to leave us, you know very well we cannot part with _you_.' I was silenced for that day, and for many succeeding ones; but still I did not wholly relinquish my darling scheme.

Mary got her drawing materials, and steadily set to work.