One evening some children were playing about on the hearthrug, when one of them, a little girl named Jessie, jumped up quite suddenly, and, with a blushing face, ran out of the room. The governess followed to see what was the matter, and Jessie told her in a whisper that she was so ashamed, because in romping about her dress had gone above her knees.
Some people might say that Jessie was too modest, but I do not think so; a nice little girl will always like to keep her knees covered.
In America the children have much longer dresses than in our country, and they would think little girls very rude who were not as careful as Jessie.
You will think for yourselves of many other ways in which children can be modest. It is a good rule never to do anything that we would be ashamed for teacher or mother to see.
XXII. ON GIVING PLEASURE TO OTHERS.
52. "Selfless" and "Thoughtful"—a Fairy Tale.
"Selfless" and "Thoughtful" were sisters of the little "Gold-wings" ([Story Lesson 1]). I cannot tell you which of the two was the sweetest and best; they were both so lovable, for like "Gold-wings" they were always thinking of others, and especially of how they could give pleasure to the sick and weak. One day, as they sat on a mossy bank in the Fairy wood, "Selfless" asked, "What shall we do next, sister?" and "Thoughtful" made answer, "I have been thinking of little Davie, who is so lame and weak; suppose I go to the Kindergarten and try to get some one to be kind to him". "A good idea," replied "Selfless," "and I will fly over the fields and see what can be done there; then in the moonlight we will meet, and tell each other what we have done." So they spread their pretty wings and flew away.
Now it is night in the Fairy wood, and in the silver moonlight the sisters rest again on the mossy bank and talk.