“Why, figs of course,” answered Miss Hatty.
“Do you call that a fig leaf?” asked her uncle, pointing to one, cut from green paper, that lay on top of the box.
“No, certainly not. That is only an imitation leaf,” was the answer.
“Well, it is just as much a real leaf as those are real figs.”
“Why, grandpapa, they have seeds in them!” exclaimed Arthur, as though that was proof positive that they must be real figs.
“To be sure they have,” laughed Colonel Dale. “The imitation would not be a good one if the seeds were left out. In spite of their seeds, those figs are made of petroleum; or rather of paraffine, which is one of the important products of petroleum. Not long ago I came across a list of over two hundred articles of commerce that are manufactured directly from this wonderful oil. Among them were these very ‘fig tablets.’ Other things made from paraffine are chewing-gum, jujube paste, gum-drops, some jellies and jams, icing for cakes, etc. The list also contained the names of all our most brilliant dyes, which are produced from the very lowest residuum of petroleum tar, and several drugs, among which was a powerful anæsthetic.”
“Well,” said Miss Hatty, “I am glad I am not so wise as some people. It is very foolish to know too much; for it takes half the pleasure out of life. Now I am sure I don’t care to eat any more of these kerosene figs, even if they have got seeds in them; and yet a minute ago I thought them quite good.”
“Seems to me,” said practical little Arthur, “that it is more foolish not to eat a thing that tastes good, if it won’t do you any harm, no matter what it is made of, than it is to be wise.”
“And it seems to me,” said Colonel Dale, “that we had better be collecting our things and preparing to leave the train; for here is the station at which we are to get off.”