Mr. B. Very well, Sophy. Here is a lesson for little boys and girls, as well as pigs. Tell me what you have learnt from those lines.
Sophy. I do not know, papa: I learnt the verses, and that is all.
Mr. B. But that should not be all. There is a very useful lesson hidden in that story. Try and find it out.
Ferdinand. I think I know it.
Louisa. And so do I.
Mr. B. And so will Sophy, when she has considered a little.
Sophy. Aye: yes. I think I have found it out, papa. You mean, that the tale should teach little boys and girls never to taste things they do not understand, for fear they should be killed, like the poor little pigs.
Mr. B. That is exactly what I meant, Sophy; and, I assure you, I have heard of children who have been actually poisoned, by incautiously eating berries, and other things, which they had met with in their country walks. You, my dear, have a sad habit of putting leaves and flowers into your mouth. I hope you will endeavour to break yourself of it, as, I assure you, it is very dangerous.
Sophy. I am going to try to leave it off, papa; for I made my tongue very sore yesterday, by biting the stalk of a flower, that Ferdinand and Louisa called lords and ladies.
Mr. B. That is an arum, the juice of which is, I believe, extremely poisonous; so pray never put it in your mouth again.