'
'Well, among this literature of Dolly's I found no less than four
stories based on the cruelty and injustice suffered by orphans from
their aunts. The wicked step-mothers are gone out, and the barbarous
aunts are come in. It is the stock subject. I really think it is
cruel, considering that there are many children who have to be adopted
into uncles' families, to add to their distress and terror, by raising
this prejudice. Just look at this one'--taking up Dolly's favourite,
'Clare; or No Home'--'it is not at all badly written, which makes it
all the worse.'
'Oh, Aunt Lilias,' cried Bessie, whose colour had been rising all this
time. 'How shall I tell you? I wrote it!'
'You! I never guessed you did anything in that line.'
'We don't talk about it. My father knows, and so does grandmamma, in a
way; but I never bring it before her if I can help it, for she does not
half like the notion. But, indeed, they aren't all as bad as that! I
know now there is a great deal of silly imitation in it; but I never
thought of doing harm in this way. It is a punishment for
thoughtlessness,' cried poor Bessie, reddening desperately, and with
tears in her eyes.
'My dear, I am so sorry I said it! If I bad not one of these aunts, I
should think it a very effective story.'
'I'm afraid that's so much the worse! Let me tell you about it, Aunt
Lilias. At home, they always laughed at me for my turn for
dismalities.'
'I believe one always has such a turn when one is young.
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