Oh , why do n't the city fathers stop that evil thing , when they know the harm it does ? It made my heart ache to see those boys , who ought to be at home and in their beds , going off for a night of riot which would help to ruin some of them for ever . ' The youths looked scared at Mrs Jo 's energetic protest against one of the fashionable pleasures of the day , and waited in conscience-stricken silence -- Stuffy glad that he never went to those gay suppers , and Dolly deeply grateful that he ` came away early ' . With a hand on either shoulder , and all the terrors smoothed from her brow , Mrs Jo went on in her most motherly tone , anxious to do for them what no other woman would , and do it kindly : ` My dear boys , if I did n't love you , I would not say these things . I know they are not pleasant ; but my conscience wo n't let me hold my peace when a word may keep you from two of the great sins that curse the world and send so many young men to destruction . You are just beginning to feel the allurement of them , and soon it will be hard to turn away . Stop now , I beg of you , and not only save yourselves but help others by a brave example . Come to me if things worry you ; do n't be afraid or ashamed ; I have heard many sadder confessions than any you are ever likely to bring me , and been able to comfort many poor fellows , gone wrong for want of a word in time . Do this , and you will be able to kiss your mothers with clean lips , and by and by have the right to ask innocent girls to love you . ' ` Yes 'm , thank you . I suppose you 're right ; but it 's pretty hard work to toe the mark when ladies give you wine and gentlemen take their daughters to see Aimee , ' said Dolly , foreseeing tribulations ahead though he knew it was time to ` pull up ' . ` So it is ; but all the more honour to those who are brave and wise enough to resist public opinion , and the easy-going morals of bad or careless men and women . Think of the persons whom you respect most , and in imitating them you will secure the respect of those who look up to you . I 'd rather my boys should be laughed at and cold-shouldered by a hundred foolish fellows than lose what , once gone , no power can give them back -- innocence and self-respect . I do n't wonder you find it `` hard to toe the mark '' , when books , pictures , ball-rooms , theatres , and streets offer temptations ; yet you can resist , if you try . Last winter Mrs Brooke used to worry about John 's being out so late reporting ; but when she spoke to him about the things he must see and hear on his way to and fro from the office at midnight , he said in his sober way , `` I know what you mean , mother ; but no fellow need to go wrong unless he wants to . '' ` That 's like the Deacon ! ' exclaimed Stuffy , with an approving smile on his fat face . ` I 'm glad you told me that . He 's right ; and it 's because he does n't want to go wrong we all respect him so , ' added Dolly , looking up now with an expression which assured his Mentor that the right string had been touched , and a spirit of emulation roused , more helpful , perhaps , than any words of hers .
Seeing this , she was satisfied , and said , as she prepared to leave the bar before which her culprits had been tried and found guilty , but recommended to mercy : ` Then be to others what XXXXX is to you -- a good example .
Aimee Dolly John Stuffy ball-rooms emulation fro right terrors tribulations