"Have you felt very well, quite like yourself, during the last few days, Nellie?"
"Well, no, sir," said Nellie, reluctantly. "Not quite. I feel rather tired every morning when I wake up, and my head aches a good deal 'most all the time. And—and—I don't feel quite like myself, for I feel cross and hateful, and I don't think I usually am very cross, papa."
"And the harder you work, the worse you feel; is it not so?"
"Well, I don't know, papa; but you do not think study makes my head ache, or makes me cross, do you?"
"Certainly I do, dear; too much study, too much work, which may make Nell a dull girl, if she does not take care. Your little mind has become over-tired, Nellie; so has your little body; and health and even temper must suffer."
"I'll try not to be cross or careless again, papa," said Nellie, humbly. "And there is no need for me to play if I do not choose, is there?"
"Who gave you your health and good spirits, Nellie?"
"Why, God, papa!"
"And do you think it right, then, for you to do any thing which destroys or injures either?"