The lady looked up to see who the rude intruder could be, and beheld a little, rosy-faced boy. She called him to her, and placing her hand on his shoulder said kindly: "My little fellow, do you not know that you should knock at a door before entering, and should say, 'Please, will you tell me the time?'" The boy hung his head and looked ashamed, but we hope he remembered what the lady said to him, and I hope also that none of you ever forget to
(Blackboard)
Knock at the Door before Entering a Room.
LXVII. HANGING HATS UP, ETC.
119. Careless Percy.
You did not admire the boy ([Story Lesson No. 98]) who threw his bag here, his cap there, and his coat somewhere else, did you? neither will you be likely to admire the little boy in this story.
But come with me—I will take you into the bedroom of a boy named Percy, who has gone to a party. I am afraid you can scarcely get inside though, for everything he has taken off is lying on the floor. His coat is flung behind the door, his collar lies inside the fender, and his trousers are beside the bed. He has been playing on the bed, you see, for it is all tossed, and one of the pillows has tumbled on the floor.
Let as take a peep into the nursery, where Percy's play-things are. There is a railway train on the floor, just as he has been playing with it; and beyond the train, where he had made a huge castle with all the bricks he could find, the floor is all strewn over with bricks from the castle, which has tumbled down.
Who will pick up all these things, and tidy the two rooms that Percy has left in such a dreadful state? His mother, maybe, who has so many other things to do. Would you leave all your clothes scattered on the floor for some one else to pick up, instead of folding them neatly yourself? or would you like another to have the trouble of putting away all your toys? No, I am sure you would not. None of us want to be selfish, but if Percy does not mind, he will grow up selfish, because he is not taking thought for others.
Hang up your cap and coat,
And put away your toys,
Save mother all the work you can,
Dear little girls and boys.