Little Ben seemed to comprehend the meaning of this principle, but the "big words" were lost on Jenny.
"He whose good purpose is laughed at," said Uncle Benjamin, "will be likely to live to laugh at those who laughed at him if he so desired; but, hark! a generous man does not laugh at any one's right intentions. Ben, never stop to answer back when they laugh at you. Life is too short. It robs the future to seek revenge."
Uncle Benjamin was right.
Did little Ben heed the admonition of his uncle on this bright day in Boston, to follow beneficence with a ready step, and not to stop to "answer back"? Was little Jenny's heart comforted in after years in finding Ben, who was so good to her now, commended? We are to follow a family history, and we shall see.
As the three went back to the Blue Ball, Ben, holding his uncle by the one hand and Jane by the other, said:
"I do like to hear Jane speak well of me, and stand up for me. I care more for that than almost any other thing."
"Well, live that she may always speak well of you," said Uncle Benjamin; "so that she may speak well of you when you two shall meet for the last time."
"Uncle," said Jenny, "why do you always have something solemn to say? Ben isn't solemn, is he?"
"No, my girl, your brother Ben is a very lively boy. You will have to hold him back some day, I fear."
"No, no, uncle, I shall always push him on. He likes to go ahead. I like to see him go—don't you?"