They did not know very well what a lecture was, but they thought that any thing which their mother would propose would be interesting.
"Do you know what a lecture is?" said she.
"Not exactly," said Rollo.
"Why, I should explain to you about playthings,—the various kinds, their use, the way to keep them, and to derive the most pleasure from them, &c. Giving you this information will not be as interesting to you as to hear a story; but it will be more useful, if you attend carefully, and endeavor to remember what I say."
The boys thought they should like the lecture, and promised to attend. Rollo said he would remember it all; and so his mother began.
"The value of a plaything does not consist in itself, but in the pleasure it awakens in your mind. Do you understand that?"
"Not very well," said Rollo.
"If you should give a round stick to a baby on the floor, and let him strike the floor with it, he would be pleased. You would see by his looks that it gave him great pleasure. Now, where would this pleasure be,—in the stick, or in the floor, or in the baby?"
"Why, in the baby," said Rollo, laughing.
"Yes; and would it be in his body, or in his mind?"