“Well, mother, you are right to a degree, for the breeding of human beings has been so terribly neglected that it requires the constant attention of our nurses to watch and guide these unformed minds in the principles of right living and thinking. The latter is the most important, of course, for thought precedes action; every means is employed to direct their thoughts into the right channels. We employ a number of artists to guide the first impressions of these young minds. Every picture on the wall teaches some lesson, and the reward of loving deeds must be taught by those in charge. The nurses must be in good health, patient and bright, for the future of these children demands it. In the beginning of this colony we carefully selected women who were not only educated, but adapted to teaching, guiding and nursing. We realize that the early life of children is the most important, for the impressions gained then and the habits formed are hard to change. We don’t allow any harsh dealings with them, though determination is absolutely necessary.”
The next day Mrs. Vivian reported her experience. “Well,” she said, “the more I see of the simple arrangements the more perfect the system seems to me. I only saw the long tables yesterday, where all sat up as straight as soldiers, with their napkins spread over their laps, instead of being tucked into the necks of their waists, but today I discovered there are grades, and the newcomers are placed at a table behind a screen until the nurses see how they behave. Those who have been there a long time are not allowed to see the little strangers until they are taught to behave properly. A roar and a scream of laughter was heard from some new children. As I glanced their way I saw a teaspoonful of milk thrown with good aim in the face of one of them by a culprit who looked as innocent as if he couldn’t do such a thing. Only the twinkle in the eye that the children could see gave evidence of the guilty one. Bits from the table were scattered upon the floor and one was holding her plate with both hands, actually licking it. Presently, one after the other jumped down and seeing one left, ran around and drew her chair from in under her. Down she came, spilling her milk all over her clothes. All were laughing and choking with their mouths full and began running around the building. Still not one word was said to them. The other children, at a signal from the lady principal, stepped down from their chairs, waited in line until told to move, which they did as orderly as soldiers on parade, and passed from the room.
“The small table and the polished floor were left in the same disorder until all the rest of the dining room was straightened and the children out of sight. Then the little strangers were called in and told to pick up everything and remove the cloth. They immediately resented the authority, so the nurse told the one she had noticed licking her plate that when little girls didn’t obey orders they were not allowed to have any more preserves and that all their cake was taken and given to the good children. It had the desired effect and she gave in, seeing which the others did also. The worst boy was only a daring, bold, fun-loving urchin who had never been taught his own rights, much less those of others, so the nurse said, ‘Come, let us hurry or we will miss all the fun they are having outdoors.’ She showed them how, and they laughed at the mistakes made, but they did their best, just the same. The floor had to be swept and they were amused at the unusual play, as they considered it, for the nurse kept them laughing until all was done. When they were through they found all the other children had gone and were told they could put on their flannel suits and wade in the pond and throw all the water they liked on each other so long as it did not hurt them. They still looked longingly around to see where the rest of the children were. The nurse told them they would always have to play by themselves until they had learned to be tidy. They saw the rest having a good time, while they were like chickens in a coop, thrusting their little, chubby hands through the wire fence, trying to get out, with wistful glances turned to the nurse in charge. She played horse to amuse them, still they realized that they were not having the same privileges that the rest were, and it had the desired effect. A lesson in obedience had been taught; they had learned that even fun in the wrong place and at the wrong time was a mistake. If they bring those children under the same discipline that the rest are I will give them more credit than any one I ever knew.”
CHAPTER XI.
Both Tom and Nellie explained to their mother everything they could.
Nellie told her that only those who are born under certain zodiacal signs were capable of teaching children and have the natural patience necessary. “We have it all down to a science. We have every child’s birthday recorded and can tell almost to a certainty their dispositions. Some can be managed through their affections and crave to be caressed; others will push you away and resent such familiarity, even when quite small; some are so fond of their pretty dresses that dressing them plainly at such times serves as a punishment; others don’t care what they wear. We have certain people thoroughly taught to attend to this one branch of their education, and we chose our lady principal from those who have been thoroughly drilled along this line. They know which children will be attracted to each other and don’t interfere with their likes or dislikes. They only need guiding. Now in their homes they don’t have the same advantages that they have here or among a number. Children born in a fire sign very rarely agree with those born in a water sign and constantly fret each other, and there is a continual spluttering and sissing such as we find where fire comes in contact with water. Among the four elements that the race represents is a vast variety of dispositions, and it takes persons of great ability as well as experience to classify them and bring out the best in each child. We believe that human beings have as good right to be bred as animals, but we don’t find they are, so we have to make the best of them as they are. We do all we can to make each little life a pleasure to itself and to every one else. We have no favorites; one child gets the same attention as all the rest.
“Did you see our babies today, mother?” Nellie inquired.
“Why, I see them every day I go. Do you suppose I could go where they are and not see them? Your boy is growing finely and little Scoris so like her namesake. I feel that you have named her under an inspiration. She is so demure and quiet, yet so determined when she imagines she is not being treated right. Today the head nurse asked her to take a shoe to the nurse that a baby had kicked off, but Scoris shook her head. ‘Take the shoe, Scoris, dear,’ the nurse repeated. ‘No, me won’t,’ Scoris said. ‘Yes, be quick, that is a good girl.’ ‘No, me will not,’ said the mite, at the same time running and giving it as she had been told, yet resenting that she had to do it. ‘Now, me won’t,’ she continued, stamping her little foot. It was hard to keep from laughing, she looked so angry. They say she won’t be ordered without a protest, unless in one of her best moods. They know what to do, however, and she minds as a rule and has one of the best dispositions. I saw her at the sand pile afterwards and her voice could be heard above the rest and her laugh was the merriest. Then again I found her at the pond, splashing water and enjoying life as all children should. That pond is a splendid thing. I never saw children enjoy anything as much as they do that basin called ‘the pond,’ and the water being kept at the right temperature, makes it safe. They have three sizes I was told today.”
“Why, yes,” said Tom, “for all children like to splash in water and we have the right dimensions according to their size. Each day they are allowed to splash and wade in it. The doctors say it is healthful for them. Then usefulness is taught as young as they can understand it. Obedience is enforced in one way or another, and thus it makes harmony. We get Scoris nearly every evening and take her out during the fine weather, but if she has been rebellious, we don’t. She understands and has needed only one or two lessons.