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 John is to you -- a good example . Forgive me for troubling you , my dear lads , and remember my little preachment . I think it will do you good , though I may never know it . Chance words spoken in kindness often help amazingly ; and that 's what old people are here for -- else their experience is of little use . Now , come and find the young folk . I hope I shall never have to shut the gates of Plumfield upon you , as I have on some of your `` gentlemen '' . I mean to keep my boys and girls safe if I can , and this a wholesome place where the good old-fashioned virtues are lived and taught . '
Much impressed by that dire threat , Dolly helped her from her perch with deep respect ; and XXXXX relieved her of her empty jugs , solemnly vowing to abstain from all fermented beverages except root-beer , as long as feeble flesh could hold out .
! Dolly John Plumfield Stuffy ball-rooms fro preachment right tribulations