“Why, there are my raspberry seeds,” said Rollo; “I think they are a curiosity; and besides that, I have got some very beautiful, bright pebbles in my pocket.”
“Let us see them,” said Jonas.
So Rollo put his hand into his pocket, and drew forth several pebbles; but they were by no means as beautiful as he had imagined. They looked rough and dull.
“They were very bright, when I got them,” said Rollo.
“That is because they were wet,” said Jonas. “Pebbles always look brightest and most beautiful when they are in their own proper place, in the brook; and that is the reason why I think it is generally best to leave them there.”
Rollo looked at his faded pebbles with an air of disappointment. He asked Jonas if there was no way of keeping them bright all the time.
“I think it probable that they might be oiled, and the oil would not dry.”
“Ho!” said Rollo, “I should not like to have them oiled.”
“Nor I,” said Jonas; “I should rather leave them in the brook.”
“But is not there any other way?”