Don’t Mention It
by
“DON’T mention it again for your life.”
“No, of course not. The least said about such things the better.”
“Don’t for the world. I have told you in perfect confidence, and you are the only one to whom I have breathed it. I wouldn’t have it get out for any consideration.”
“Give yourself no uneasiness. I shall not allude to the subject.”
“I merely told you because I knew you were a friend, and would let it go no farther. But would you have thought it?”
“I certainly am very much surprised.”
“So am I. But when things pass right before your eyes and ears, there is no gainsaying them.”
“No. Seeing is said to be believing.”
“Of course it is.”
“But, Mrs. Grimes, are you very sure that you heard aright?”
“I am positive, Mrs. Raynor. It occurred only an hour ago, and the whole thing is distinctly remembered. I called in to see Mrs. Comegys, and while I was there, the bundle of goods came home. I was present when she opened it, and she showed me the lawn dress it contained. There were twelve yards in it. ‘I must see if there is good measure,’ she said, and she got a yard-stick and measured it off. There were fifteen yards instead of twelve. ‘How is this?’ she remarked. ‘I am sure I paid for only twelve yards, and here are fifteen.’ The yard-stick was applied again. There was no mistake; the lawn measured fifteen yards. ‘What are you going to do with the surplus?’ I asked. ‘Keep it, of course,’ said Mrs. Comegys. ‘There is just enough to make little Julia a frock. Won’t she look sweet in it?,’ I was so confounded that I couldn’t say a word. Indeed, I could hardly look her in the face. At first I thought of calling her attention to the dishonesty of the act; but then I reflected that, as it was none of my business, I might get her ill-will for meddling in what didn’t concern me.”
“And you really think, then, that she meant to keep the three yards without paying for them?
“Oh, certainly! But then I wouldn’t say anything about it for the world. I wouldn’t name it, on any consideration. Of course you will not repeat it.”
“No. If I cannot find any good to tell of my friends, I try to refrain from saying anything evil.”
“A most excellent rule, Mrs. Raynor, and one that I always follow. I never speak evil of my friends, for it always does more harm than good. No one can say that I ever tried to injure another.”
“I hope Mrs. Comegys thought better of the matter, upon reflection,” said Mrs. Raynor.
“So do I. But I am afraid not. Two or three little things occur to me now, that I have seen in my intercourse with her, which go to satisfy my mind that her moral perceptions are not the best in the world. Mrs. Comegys is a pleasant friend, and much esteemed by every one. It could do no good to spread this matter abroad, but harm.”
After repeating over and over again her injunction to Mrs. Raynor not to repeat a word of what she had told her, Mrs. Grimes bade this lady, upon whom she had called, good morning, and went on her way. Ten minutes after, she was in the parlor of an acquaintance, named Mrs. Florence, entertaining her with the gossip she had picked up since their last meeting. She had not been there long, before, lowering her voice, she said in a confidential way–
“I was at Mrs. Comegys’ to-day, and saw something that amazed me beyond every thing.”
“Indeed!”
“Yes. You will be astonished when you hear it. Suppose you had purchased a dress and paid for a certain number of yards; and when the dress was sent home, you should find that the storekeeper had made a mistake and sent you three or four yards more than you had settled for. What would you do?”