During the course of the summer, Miss Lydia’s aunt found it necessary to take a long journey, and desired the favour to leave her little daughter in her sister’s family during her absence, as it was not convenient to take her. This little girl, whose name was Fanny, was about Lydia’s age; and, therefore, though Miss Lydia’s elder sisters were very obliging and good-natured to her, yet she was her chief companion, and was very much delighted with her society. One day, a lady, who was very intimate in the family, came to make a visit, and brought a present to each of the little girls of a silk work-bag trimmed with broad lace. In the bag were a needle book furnished with thread and needles, a silver thimble, a pair of scissors with silver tops in a nice red sheath; and beside, a piece of drawn lawn neatly tacked upon a bit of oil-skin, and just begun for them, that they might each work for herself a tucker.

Miss Fanny though very good-natured, was exceedingly giddy and careless, leaving her dolls, books, and every thing she had, scattered all over the house; the consequence of which was, that they were frequently lost or spoiled. This lady, therefore, knowing her failing, gave her a particular caution to take care of her work-bag; and desired, when the young ladies came to see her, they would each bring their bag with them.

For some little time Fanny continued very mindful of the advice which had been given her. One day they had been working in a little summer-house in the garden, and Miss Fanny had been particularly guarded, by one of the elder young ladies, against leaving her work-bag, when she came in.

Miss Lydia, when she had done work, collected all her things into her bag, and hung it upon her arm, Fanny did the same, and they both came down out of the summer-house; but Fanny said, she must gather a nosegay before she came in, out of a little garden that had been given her, and away she ran to the place; but finding the work-bag inconvenient upon her arm when she stooped to gather flowers, she laid it down on a clean grass plot. The nosegay being made, she was preparing to go in, when she saw Lydia’s little lamb, who was in the adjoining field, put his nose over the pales very near her; she ran to him, stroked his head, fetched him some cabbage to eat out of her hand, and played with him, till recollecting she should scarce have time to be dressed before dinner, she ran in, in great haste, leaving the work-bag upon the grass. Fanny did not once think of her work-bag till she was going to sit down to work after dinner; she then recollected that she had left it upon the grass, and ran in great haste to fetch it; but when she came she found all her things in a very dismal condition; the work-bag was torn to pieces, and all wet and dirty; the needle book and work were tossed out, and entirely spoiled; the thimble had rolled quite away; in short nothing had escaped but the scissors, and, as for the sheath that was bent, and the colour quite changed. Any of you who ever have had a present you were pleased with, and seen it destroyed by your own carelessness, will be able to judge what this little girl felt, when she cast her eyes upon all this mischief. She stood at first quite stupified, then began to examine the things one by one, and when she found them entirely spoiled, she could not refrain from tears and lamentation. The gardener, hearing her cry, came from the other end of the garden, to know what was the matter? she told him her misfortunes, and asked, who could have put her things into that state? The gardener said, it was a great pity, but he did not doubt but it was the puppy, for he had just before seen him running about the garden, and had turned him out.

Poor Fanny could do nothing but pick up the tattered bits, and carry them sorrowfully into the house; even those who blamed her negligence could not help pitying her; and she found Miss Lydia, in particular, ready to cry with her, and to share in her trouble.

The next morning, as Lydia and her little friend were talking over this accident, Fanny said, her greatest concern was, that Mrs. Grant would know she had taken so little care of her present; and that she could not bear the thought of seeing her; but, says she, one of the maids told me, she had got a piece of blue silk just the colour of mine, and she had a cousin who was a miliner, and would give her a bit of blond lace and ribbon, and she would make me a bag and needle-book, just like the others; and that I might buy a sheath with my own money; and if we could but find the thimble, Mrs. Grant need never know it; for, as your Mamma was out all day yesterday, and does not come home till to-morrow, she need know nothing of the matter; and who else will tell? It may be very good-natured in Sarah, said Miss Lydia; but I hope, my dear Fanny, you are too good to do such a mean, deceitful trick; if, you say, you could not bear to see Mrs. Grant now, I think it must distress you a great deal more to see her when you knew you were trying to deceive her; and how dreadful it would be to hear her commend you for taking such care of your bag, when you were conscious how you have behaved. I am sure, if no creature were to find me out, I should be very miserable; and if you should be found out, what would become of you then?

You are a great deal better than I am, said Fanny; and now I consider about it, I dare say my Mamma would be very sorry I should do so; and so I must tell Mrs. Grant the whole truth, I think—but I shall look so foolish!