It was no wonder that Ada,
sometimes helping Esther to deceive, sometimes deceived by her,
should have learnt the same kind of cunning, and ceased to think it a
matter of course to be true and just in all her dealings.
But how was it that Phyllis remained the same 'honest Phyl' that she
had ever been, not one word savouring of aught but strict truth
having ever crossed her lips, her thoughts and deeds full of
guileless simplicity? She met with the same temptations, the same
neglect, the same bad example, as her sister; why had they no effect
upon her? In the first place, flattery could not touch her, it was
like water on a duck's back, she did not know that it was flattery,
but so thoroughly humble was her mind that no words of Esther's would
make her believe herself beautiful, agreeable, or clever. Yet she
never found out that Esther over-praised her sister; she admired Ada
so much that she never suspected that any commendation of her was
more than she deserved. Again, Phyllis never thought of making
herself appear to advantage, and her humility saved her from the
habit of concealing small faults, for which she expected no
punishment; and, when seriously to blame, punishment seemed so
natural a consequence, that she never thought of avoiding it,
otherwise than by expressing sorrow for her fault.
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