"Shake hands with the ladies, Reggie," said his mother; but Reggie refused, and hid his face in her dress. She explained that he was shy, and went on coaxing him to come and speak to us. After a great deal of talking and persuading, he consented to come and shake hands, if his mother would come with him. So she brought him across the room, and held out his hand, just as you hold out the arm of your doll, when you play at shaking hands with her.
Would you make all that fuss and trouble about shaking hands with any one? I hope not. It is so silly, as well as ill-mannered.
After this Reggie sat down in a little chair, and tried to put his feet up on a small table that was near—but you will not care to hear about such a badly-behaved little boy. And it was not very long before his mother had to take him from the room screaming, he was so tiresome and naughty.
If Reggie had tried to please his mother and her visitors, instead of his little self, everybody would have been much happier, and I am sure he would, for selfish people cannot be happy.
Think first of others, last of self,
Be friendly, kindly all around;
Shake hands with strangers, be polite,
Unselfish, sweet be always found.
LXVI. KNOCKING BEFORE ENTERING A ROOM.
118. The Boy who Forgot.
A lady was sitting in a cottage one morning talking to the person who lived there, when suddenly, and without any warning knock, or even a little tap, some one lifted the latch noisily, and pushing the door wide open, burst into the room, asking, "What time is it?"