Genre:

Short Fiction

Subjects:

Collecting, Amusement, Piety

    Maria L is now old enough to be allowed in some degree to regulate her own expenditure. She tells her mother that she hopes to be able to keep five pounds a year for use as she chooses and to buy a 'little cabinet' like her cousin's and furnish it. Her mother allows that the cabinet would be 'a very reasonable amusement', especially if she learned 'scientifically to arrange its contents' (291). However, she counsels Maria against unnecessary expenditure, and enquires after her charitable giving. In the remainder of the narrative, Maria discovers how easy it is to spend her money selfishly.