Molly never guessed that her own efforts were at the bottom of the change , or knew that a few words not meant for her ear had shamed Miss Bat into action . Coming home from prayer-meeting one dark night , she trotted along behind two old ladies who were gossiping in loud voices , as one was rather deaf , and Miss Bat was both pleased and troubled to hear herself unduly praised . `` I always said Sister Dawes meant well ; but she 's getting into years , and the care of two children is a good deal for her , with her cooking and her rheumatiz . I do n't deny she did neglect 'em for a spell , but she does well by 'em now , and I would n't wish to see better-appearing children . '' `` You 've no idee how improved Molly is . She came in to see my girls , and brought her sewing-work , shirts for the boy , and done it as neat and capable as you 'd wish to see . She always was a smart child , but dreadful careless , '' said the other old lady , evidently much impressed by the change in harum-scarum Molly Loo . `` Being over to Mis Minot 's so much has been good for her , and up to Mis Grant 's . Girls catch neat ways as quick as they do untidy ones , and them wild little tykes often turn out smart women . '' `` Sister Dawes has done well by them children , and I hope Mr. Bemis sees it . He ought to give her something comfortable to live on when she ca n't do for him any longer . He can well afford it . '' `` I have n't a doubt he will . He 's a lavish man when he starts to do a thing , but dreadful unobserving , else he 'd have seen to matters long ago . Them children was town-talk last fall , and I used to feel as if it was my bounden duty to speak to Miss Dawes . But I never did , fearing I might speak too plain , and hurt her feelings . '' `` You 've spoken plain enough now , and I 'm beholden to you , though you 'll never know it , '' said Miss Bat to herself , as she slipped into her own gate , while the gossips trudged on quite unconscious of the listener behind them . Miss Bat was a worthy old soul in the main , only , like so many of us , she needed rousing up to her duty . She had got the rousing now , and it did her good , for she could not bear to be praised when she had not deserved it . She had watched Molly 's efforts with lazy interest , and when the girl gave up meddling with her affairs , as she called the housekeeping , Miss Bat ceased to oppose her , and let her scrub Boo , mend clothes , and brush her hair as much as she liked .
So Molly had worked along without any help from her , running in to Mrs. Pecq for advice , to Merry for comfort , or Mrs. XXXXX for the higher kind of help one often needs so much .
Bat Grant Loo Minot gossips idee night sewing-work tykes years