“Yes, but I want a new one, for my doll is old and worn out.”
“So, you see, dolls are perishable; that is, they will wear out.”
“Then every thing is perishable,” said Royal, “for every thing will wear out in time.”
“Yes,” replied Miss Anne, “but then some things will last so long that we do not consider them perishable. A silver bowl, for instance, will last for several generations; but then it would wear out in time.”
“I should not think it would ever wear out, if it was really silver,” said Lucy.
“Yes, if it was used, it would wear out in time; but it would take a very long time. At any rate, we should not consider it perishable property. A silver thimble would not be perishable property.”
“Is a book perishable?” asked Lucy.
“Yes, more so than many other things; for it gets worn out and defaced, so that its value is destroyed before a great while. A box is not so perishable,—a handsome, well-made box.”
“I believe I’ll buy a box,” said Lucy.
“I’d buy something not very perishable, if I were you, at any rate, and then you can keep it and enjoy it a great many years.”