Mrs. F. No, very little. And if it had, it was to do me good, you know.
Eliz. But why should I stay to see it? I could do you no good.
Mrs. F. Perhaps not; but it will do you good to be accustomed to such sights.
Eliz. Why, mamma?
Mrs. F. Because instances are every day happening in which it is our duty to assist fellow-creatures in circumstances of pain and distress; and if we were to indulge a reluctance to come near to them on those occasions, we should never acquire either the knowledge or the presence of mind necessary for the purpose.
Eliz. But if I had been told how to help people in such cases, could not I do it without being used to see them?
Mrs. F. No. We have all naturally a horror at everything which is the cause of pain and danger to ourselves or others; and nothing but habit can give most of us the presence of mind necessary to enable us in such occurrences to employ our knowledge to the best advantage.
Eliz. What is presence of mind, mamma?
Mrs. F. It is that steady possession of ourselves in cases of alarm, that prevents us from being flurried and frightened. You have heard the expression of having all our wits about us. That is the effect of presence of mind, and a most inestimable quality it is, for without it we are full as likely to run into danger as to avoid it. Do you not remember hearing of your cousin Mary’s cap taking fire from a candle?
Eliz. O yes—very well.