“Then you are not trying to do like the angels,—are you, Arthur. You mean to vex people, and make them unhappy.”
Arthur blushed, and looked very thoughtful; and his father continued,—
“Jane and Willie and Susan will all feel somewhat vexed and displeased at your jokes,—will they not, my son?”
“Yes, sir, I suppose they will,” answered Arthur; “but, then, I want to have a little fun on April Fool’s Day.”
“It is poor fun to make others unhappy. I have no objection to your playing jokes or tricks, as you call them, upon your brother and sister and Susan; but I should like to have you think of something which would please them, instead of making them vexed.”
“But, father, I cannot think of any tricks of that kind.”
“I will help you a little, Arthur, and then you will understand what I mean. We will take the trick which you intended to play upon Susan, for instance. Now, if, instead of putting water in the pail, and deceiving her by making her think it is milk, you should rise early, and really bring her the milk, you might still have a pleasant joke by putting the pail in the place where it usually stands when it is empty, instead of on the table where you leave it when it is filled. Then Susan will be greatly surprised when she takes it up, intending to go for the milk.”
Arthur’s face grew very bright again.
“Oh, yes, father! I shall like that plan very much: it is much better than my own. And how shall I manage about Willie and Jane?”
“Try to think of some way yourself, Arthur. Only remember to have your joke of a kind that will give pleasure, and not pain.”