A pretty story is easier to read than a dry lesson. Many little girls neglect the lesson for the story, because the latter is the easiest. Minnie often felt tempted to do this. One evening, just as she sat down to get her lessons for the next day, her father brought in her favorite magazine. She was greatly interested in certain parts of it, and had been looking for it anxiously several days. When her father laid it on the table, he said,—
"Here is a new number of your magazine, Minnie."
"O, I am so glad, pa! Do let me see it!"
Mr. Brown gave it to her. She carefully cut its leaves, and was soon busy in looking at its pictures, stories, and puzzles. Her lessons were entirely put out of mind, and the poor spelling book and geography looked quite forsaken, as they lay pushed aside on the table.
Her good mother silently watched Minnie. She knew it was too late for her to read the magazine, and to get her lessons besides. She also knew that Minnie ought to get the lessons. Yet she felt loath to try her, by bidding her lay the magazine aside. Hence she waited to see what Minnie would do.
Minnie had got fairly and fully interested in the charming little magazine. A half hour had passed since her father gave it to her, and still she was poring over its pages. It was plain that she had forgotten the lessons entirely.
"Minnie!" said her mother.
"Yes, ma!" replied the little girl, without taking her eyes from the book.
"Minnie, my child! Are your lessons learned?"