“Yes, sir.”
“I think you are mistaken—for if you had put it there, it would have been there still.”
“I’m certain sure I put it back there!”
“Well now, my son, I found it out on the grass, where you had been at work. Didn’t you leave it there?”
“Oh—yes—I believe I did. Yes, I remember—I did leave it there.”
“Well, now take a lesson from this; don’t be so positive, where you are not sure. In two instances you have been mistaken: you first said that you had not taken the hammer out, and you were quite positive; you then said you had put it where you got it, and you were again quite positive. But remember that in both cases you were mistaken. Let this teach you to be more modest and careful in future; and, instead of saying you are sure, say, I think so and so; or, I believe so and so. No person ought ever to say that he is positive of a thing, where there is the least chance of mistake.”
“Mother,” said Ellen, “may I go and see Jane Hanson? she asked me to come.”
“When did she ask you?” said the mother.
“Yesterday—yesterday afternoon.”
“Not yesterday, my dear.”