"I am glad you would like to know why," replied her mother, "and I will tell you the reason as soon as we get past."
Louisa kept on the other side of the path until the tree was left well behind, and then came back to her mother to ask for the promised reason.
"It was because I heard that there was a wasp's nest under that tree," said her mother.
"A wasp's nest!" repeated Louisa, with a look of alarm.
"Yes," rejoined her mother, "and I was afraid that the wasps might sting you."
Louisa paused a moment, and then, looking back towards the tree, said,
"I am glad I did not go near it."
"And I am glad that you obeyed me so readily," said her mother. "I knew you would obey me at once, without my giving any reason. I did not wish to tell you the reason, for fear of frightening you while you were passing by the tree. But I knew that you would obey me without any reason. You always do, and that is why I always like to have you go with me when I take a walk."
[Illustration: INDULGENCE.]
Louisa is much gratified by this commendation, and the effect of it, and of the whole incident, in confirming and strengthening the principle of obedience in her heart, is very much greater than rebukes or punishments for any overt act of disobedience could possibly be.