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ELDER SISTER.--Certainly the younger children should mind what you say
when your father and mother are away from home. They will do this more
pleasantly if you ask than if you order them, however. Try the plan of
speaking gently without raising your voice.
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MARY P.--The best time to answer a letter is, if possible, the day on
which you receive it. Just after reading your friend's words you feel as
if you had been brought very near to her, and there is a freshness and
glow in answering her at once which will be gone by the next week.
Still, some friends prefer to be kept waiting a little while. If Carrie
D. is of that opinion, and prefers not to be answered for a few days or
weeks, you might write her a journal letter. Every evening you might set
down some of the incidents of your home life, tell her whom you have
seen, what books you are reading, what new receipts you have tried, and
what flowers are in bloom in the woods and garden. Such a letter would
be very much better worth your sending than a hasty scrawl dashed off
without care or pains. Above all, my dear, never apologize for a
careless letter. If it needs an excuse, it should not be sent.
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ROBERT.--The battle of Lutzen was fought on the 6th of November, 1632.
It was in this battle that the great Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden was
killed. Gustavus was a leader of wonderful courage and many resources.
Dressed in gray with a green plume, he would always be seen in the
thickest of the fight, and often before a battle began he would be seen
to kneel down and pray in the presence of the soldiers. I am very glad
that you find history so captivating.
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THE CARE OF PETS.--Children who are unwilling to care for their pets
should not keep them. A little bird in its cage can not provide its own
seed and water, nor fill its bath, and if its mistress neglects to give
it food and drink regularly, it will suffer, and very likely die. In
taking care of pet animals it is very necessary to attend to their wants
at a regular time every day, and their houses, boxes, and cages should
be kept very clean.
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JULIET L. T.--The Postmistress will return your graceful little sketch,
if you send her word that you would like her to do so. In exchanging,
you need simply to state what you have to offer and what you wish to
receive. Do this as briefly as possible. Your living abroad does not at
all interfere with your being a very welcome exchanger.
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