Rollo laughed, and said he thought that would not be a very good excuse.
“Well, it is just such an excuse as yours. I did not positively command you not to go near the boys, or not to have any conversation with them at all, though I expressed my wish that you would not, so that you could not help understanding it.”
Rollo could not deny that this was so.
“But that is not the only case of disobedience. For you did one thing which was contrary to my express command in words.”
Rollo looked concerned, and said he was sure he did not know it.
“I told you not to go out of my sight.”
“Well, but, father,” said Rollo eagerly, in reply, “I am sure I did not mean to. I was picking berries so busy, I did not observe where I was.”
“I know you were, and that was the disobedience; for when I command you to keep in sight of me, that means that you must take good care that you do mind where you are. Suppose I were to tell Jonas that he might go and take a walk, but that he must be sure to come back in half an hour, and he should go, and pay no attention to the time, and so not come back until three quarters of an hour; would that be obedience?”
“No, sir; but it would not be so bad as it would be if he should stay away when he knew that the time was out.”
“No, it would not be so wilful an act of disobedience, but it would be disobedience, notwithstanding. You see, Rollo,” he continued, “when I tell you or any boy to come back in half an hour, there are two things implied in the command—first, that you should notice the time, and, secondly, that you should come back when the time is out. Now, you may disobey the command by neglecting either of these.”