The Infant System eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 434 pages of information about The Infant System.

The Infant System eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 434 pages of information about The Infant System.
cherry.  I now withdrew to some distance, and it was evident that the little one was distressed by what he had done, as he did not eat it, but began to cry faintly, on which the elder took the cherry out of his hand, and ate it.  This increased the crying, when, on approaching, he ran up to me, saying that the other took my cherry.  The little one continuing to cry, the other stated that he saw him take it; to which I replied, “We will try him by and bye.”  As soon, therefore, as the proper time arrived, the bell was rung; prior to which, however, I was apprised of the loss by several children, and when all were seated in the gallery, I proceeded as follows “Now, little children, I want you to use all your faculties, to look at me attentively, and to think of what I am about to say, for I am going to tell you a tale of two little boys.  Once on a time they were amusing themselves with a great many other children in a play-ground, where there was a great many flowers and some fruit trees.  But before I go on, let me ask you is it right to take the flowers or fruit which belong to others?” to which the general reply was “No,” with the exception of the culprits.  I then described their age, stated that one boy was five years old, and the other three; that the former was looking at one of his master’s fine cherries, which was growing against the wall, and that the latter approached, and looked at it too; on which several exclaimed, “Please, sir, your big cherry is gone;” which caused an inspection of each others’ countenances.  To this, I replied, “I am sorry for it, but let me finish my tale.  Now, children, while they were both looking at the cherry, the older one asked the younger if it were not large, to which he replied, ‘Yes;’ he then inquired, whether it were not nice, when he again answered, ‘Yes;’ afterwards, be told him, having touched it himself first, to touch it because it was soft, and the little boy unfortunately did so, on which the big one pulled his arm, and the cherry came off in his hand.”  While this was proceeding, the two delinquents sat very demurely, conscious that they were pourtrayed, though all the rest were ignorant of the fact.  I then said, “Which do you think the worst of these boys?” when several answered, “The biggest was the worst.”  On inquiring, “Why?” the reply was, “Because he told the little one to take it;” while others said, “Because he pulled his arm.”  I added, “I have not told you the whole tale yet, but I am glad to see that you know right from wrong, and presently you will be still better prepared to judge.  When the big boy had told the little one to take the cherry, he then robbed him of it, and immediately betrayed him by telling the master.  Now which do you think was the worst?” When a great number of voices vociferated, “The big one.”  I then inquired, if they thought we had such children in our school? the general reply was ‘No;’ but the scrutiny among themselves was redoubled.  To this I rejoined, “I am sorry to say such children
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The Infant System from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.