Have I been hard upon her, Sister Tabitha ?" "Hard upon her! Sister Grizzel," said Miss Tabitha with more energy than usual; "no, certainly not.

For once, Sister Grizzel, I disagree with you.

Hard upon her! Certainly not." But Miss Grizzel did not feel happy.
When she went up to her own room at night she was surprised to find Dorcas waiting for her, instead of the younger maid.
"I thought you would not mind having me, instead of Martha, to-night, ma'am," she said, "for I did so want to speak to you about Miss Griselda.

The poor, dear young lady has gone to bed so very unhappy." "But do you know what she has done, Dorcas ?" said Miss Grizzel.
"Admitted a _boy_, a rude, common, impertinent _boy_, into my precincts, and played with him--with a _boy_, Dorcas." "Yes, ma'am," said Dorcas.

"I know all about it, ma'am.