LETTER XXXI.
WILLIAM to his MOTHER.
Yesterday, when we returned home, we found Charles in the parlour waiting for us, and ready to receive his father and mother, who soon after arrived. He forgot the pain in his leg, and ran eagerly to meet them; indeed he loves his parents. We were this night to sup with Sir Charles and his Lady, a pleasure we do not often enjoy, as we go to bed early: they retired to settle some business, and we were left alone together while the cloth was laying. Emilia was just going to play us a tune, when we heard some china fall.
EDWARD.
Ha! there it’s broke; what clumsy asses those are.
But, Edward, do not find fault so hastily; you do not know yet what it is, nor how it has happened. The name of ass suits not a man.
EDWARD.
I know it is in pieces; servants use things as if they cost nothing.
CHARLES.
I will go and see. I think the damage is not so great as you suppose.
EDWARD.
Now I will venture to lay you any wager, he will apologize for them.
EMILIA.
What then, he will do well; would not you be glad if you had done wrong that he should apologize for you? He has often taken your part.
You shall see, he will befriend them; and come in as if nothing had happened.
EMILIA.
Charles never tells lies, though he is compassionate, and will not aggravate a fault.
EDWARD.
Here he comes. One would think from his face, that he had done the mischief. Well, Charles, what is it? Did I not guess right that it was broke to pieces?
CHARLES.
It was, indeed, one of the best china plates; but why are you so angry? the loss is not irreparable.
EDWARD.
If I was Lady Grandison, I would make them pay for it; it would teach them to be more careful another time.
That would be hard for a servant, who ought to gain by his service. But, Edward, have you never had any accident—and are you sure you will always be careful?
EMILIA.
Yes. If it was but pouring boiling water over a person; that is much worse.
EDWARD.
Why do you trouble yourself about it? And, Charles, if you were a master, would you let your servants break and destroy with impunity?
CHARLES.
I do not believe there are any servants who break things on purpose. It is always by accident, and an accident should be excused.
It is pure good-nature certainly. A careless servant will then with you never do wrong. But my aunt, I think, ought to know what is broken.
CHARLES.
I intend to tell her; and to ask her to forgive the person who did it through thoughtlessness.
EDWARD.
And the person was one of the servants, who was it?
CHARLES.
Suppose I should say you have done the mischief yourself?
EDWARD.
I—That is truly a fine story.
CHARLES.
Did you not take a plate off the sideboard to carry your dog some meat on: and did you not leave it near the hall door on a chair?
EDWARD.
Yes. But what of that?
CHARLES.
The servant in the dark threw it down.
EDWARD.
And could I help that? How came he to go in the dark?
EMILIA.
That we all do very often. You are to blame, the plate was set in an improper place; the servant could not imagine that it stood there.
EDWARD.
You are always prating, Miss.—But, Charles, my aunt need not hear of it, she will not miss a plate.
CHARLES.
Edward!—ah Edward! you were in a hurry to inform her when you imagined the blame would fall on another; but you are less eager now you must bear the reproof yourself. Let this teach you not to be severe on others, as this accident must convince you, that you are not faultless. It is our own faults which make us so ready to mark the errors our fellow-creatures run into.
The supper came in, and during the repast, Charles mentioned the accident; and a slight caution from Lady Grandison concluded the conversation.
WILLIAM.