“Yes, sir,” said Rollo, “I see we may, but I did not think of it before.”
“No, I presume you did not,” said his father; “but I want you to understand it, and remember it after this forever. You have disobeyed, to-day, in two ways, in which boys are very apt to disobey, when they do not mean to do it wilfully. I will tell you what the principles are, again, so that you can remember and tell me when I ask you.
“1. Boys must take care to comply with their parents’ directions, if they are expressed in any way whatsoever; and,
“2. When directed to do any thing in a particular time or way, they must see to it themselves, that they notice and keep in mind the circumstances which they are required to attend to.”
Rollo said he would try to remember it, and as he seemed attentive and docile, his father did not talk with him any more about his fault at that time. Besides, they came now to some very rough places in the path, and Rollo’s father had to lift Lucy over them.
Lucy spilled some of her berries in one place, and Rollo was going to help her pick them up, but Jonas said they had better leave them for the birds, and walk on.
“So we will, Lucy,” said Rollo, “and I rather think that Mosette is hungry by this time.”
“Yes,” said Jonas, “and what are you going to do with Mosette?”
“O, put him in a cage, and bring him up tame,” said Rollo. “I mean to teach him to eat out of my hand. I shall treat him very kindly, though he is my little prisoner.”
“I would give: him the liberty of the yard, if I were you,” said some one behind, laughing.