“Why, to show you and Royal,” said Miss Anne, “the difference between a monopolizing and covetous spirit, and one of generosity and benevolence, which leads us to wish to have others possess and enjoy, as well as ourselves.”
Royal, pretty soon after this, proposed that he and Lucy should find some sticks upon the little island, where they were sitting, and throw them upon the water, and see them sail down; and they did accordingly amuse themselves in this way for some time. Lucy was very much amused to see the sticks shoot along the rapids, and dive down the little cascades among the rocks. Miss Anne helped them throw in one piece of plank, which had drifted down from the mill, and which was too large and heavy for them to lift alone. They watched this for some time, as it floated away far down the stream.
At last, it was time to go home; and they all went back, very carefully, over the stones, until they got back to the shore; and then they walked home by a new way, over a hill, where they had a beautiful prospect.
That night, just before sundown, when Royal and Lucy went out to see their chickens, Royal told Lucy that she might have the little black chicken and two others for her own.
“Well,” said Lucy, clapping her hands, “and will you let me keep them in your coop?”
“Yes,” replied Royal; “or I will let you own the coop with me;—you shall have a share in the coop, in proportion to your share of the chickens.”
“In proportion?” said Lucy; “what does that mean?”
“Why, just as much of the coop as you have of the chickens,” said Royal.
“Well,” said Lucy, “how much of the coop will it be, for three chickens?”
“O, I don’t know,” said Royal.