A Grandmothers Recollections | Page 4

of a sudden."
I had given a quick, convulsive start as the first tones fell upon my ear,
and now sat bending over my sewing like a chidden child, almost afraid
to look up. I was one of those unlucky mortals who bear the blame of
everything wrong they witness; and having, in tender infancy, been
suddenly seized upon in Sunday school by the superintendent, and
placed in a conspicuous situation of disgrace for looking at a
companion who was performing some strange antic, but who possessed
one of those india-rubber faces that, after twisting themselves into all
possible, or rather impossible shapes, immediately become straight the
moment any one observes them--having, I say, met with this mortifying
exposure, it gave me a shock which I have not to this day recovered;
and I cannot now see any one start up hastily in pursuit of another
without fancying myself the culprit, and trembling accordingly. This
sudden movement, therefore, of my grandmother's threw me into an
alarming state of terror, and, quite still and subdued, I sat industriously
stitching, all the morning after.
"Dear me!" said my mother with a sigh, "how much better you make
them mind than I can."
"I see, Amy," said my grandmother kindly, "that your influence is very
weak--the care of of so large a family has prevented you from attending
to each one properly. You perceive the effect of a little well-timed
authority, and I do not despair of you yet. You are naturally," she
continued, "amiable and indolent, and though gentleness is certainly
agreeable and interesting, yet a constant succession of sweets cannot
fail to cloy, and engender a taste for something sharper and more

wholesome."
Delicacy prevented me from remaining to hear my mother advised and
lectured, and the rest of my grandmother's discourse was therefore lost
to me; but whatever it was, I soon perceived its beneficial results--the
children were no longer permitted to roam indiscriminately through all
parts of the house--certain rooms were proof againt their
invasions--they became less troublesome and exacting, and far more
companionable. The worried look gradually cleared from my mother's
brow, and as my grandmother was extremely fond of sight-seeing,
visiting, tea-drinkings, and everything in the shape of company, she
persevered in dragging her daughter out day after day, until she made
her enjoy it almost as much as herself. Old acquaintances were hunted
up and brought to light, and new ones made through the exertions of
my grandmother, who, in consequence of such a sociable disposition,
soon became very popular. The young ones were banished to the
nursery; and, as they were no longer allowed to spend their days in
eating, there was far less sickness among them, and our family doctor's
bill decreased amazingly.
Our grandmother, having spent many years in the "mother-country,"
was extremely English in her feelings and opinions, and highly
advocated the frugal diet on which the children of the higher classes are
always kept. Lord and Lady Grantham, the son-in-law and daughter at
whose residence she passed the time of her sojourn in England, were
infallible models of excellence and prudence; and the children were
again and again informed that their little English cousins were never
allowed meat until the age of seven, and considered it a great treat to
get beef broth twice a week. Butter was also a prohibited article of
luxury--their usual breakfast consisting of mashed potatoes, or bread
and milk; and my grandmother used to relate how one morning a little
curly-headed thing approached her with an air of great mystery, and
whispered: "What do you think we had for breakfast?" "Something
very good, I suspect--what can it be?" "Guess." "O, I cannot; you must
tell me." "Buttered bread!" Our laughter increased as she gave an
amusing account of the blue eyes stretched to their utmost extent, as
these wonderful words were pronounced hesitatingly, as though

doubtful of the effect; and in consequence of various anecdotes of the
same nature, the children's impressions of England were by no means
agreeable. Our little cousins must certainly have been the most
wonderful children ever heard of, for by my grandmother's account,
they could dance, sing, and speak French almost as soon as they could
walk. She also informed us, as a positive fact, that on saying: "Baisez,
Cora--baisez la dame," the very baby in arms put up its rosebud lips to
kiss the stranger mentioned. It would have been stranger still for the
younger children to speak English, as they were always in the company
of French nurses.
Although my grandmother could so easily assume a stern and
commanding air, it was by no means habitual to her; and the children,
though they feared and never dared to dispute her authority, soon loved
her with all the pure, unselfish love of