There were sheep kept upon the lawn; the pretty creatures were so tame that they would eat out of a person’s hand. You may believe that the children were very fond of feeding them; they often gave them their little barrow full of greens. There was no danger of the little folks not thinking to perform so pleasing a task as this. One day George was reading aloud to a younger brother, whose name was William—‘Do as you would be done by.’
William. Pray what does that mean?
George. I will show you now; you hear the sheep bleat.
So he ran and got some greens, and gave to the sheep.
George. You see what it is to do as we would be done by; the poor sheep are hungry and I feed them.
William. I should like to feed them; but I have no greens.
George. Here are some of mine: take some, and give to them.
William. I thank you, brother; now you do to me as you would wish to be done by.
The next day, William saw a poor woman standing on the outside of the iron gates. She looked pensive; and the child said:
What do you want, poor woman?