There were eight boys and girls of the name of _Freelove_; their kind
parents taught them to do as they were bid in all things. They were
the happiest children in the world; for, being used to control, they
thought it no hardship to obey their friends. When one of them had a
mind to do anything, and was not sure whether it would be right, he
went in to inquire, and was always content with the answer. If it was
proper, he was certain to have leave: and if it was not proper, he had
no longer a wish to do it, but was glad that he had asked.
Mr. and Mrs. _Freelove_ took great pains with their children, and
taught them, as soon as they could learn, all that was proper for their
age; and they took delight in learning, so that it was a pleasure to
teach them.
Such a family is the most pleasing scene upon earth.
The children were all very fond of each other. No one had an idea of
feeling joy in which the rest did not share. If one child had an apple,
or a cake, he always parted it into eight pieces; and the owner kept
the smallest for himself; and when any little treasure was given which
could not be so divided, the rest were summoned to see it, to play with
it, and to receive all the pleasure which it could afford.
The little folks were fond of books: the elder ones would often lay
aside their own, to read aloud to the younger ones in such as were
suited to them. In short, they were a family of perfect love. Each boy
had a little piece of ground for a garden, in which he might work to
amuse himself. It would have made you smile to see how earnest they
were at their work—digging, planting, weeding, and sometimes they had
leave to water. Each was ready to lend any of his tools to his brother.
Each was happy to assist in any plan, if his brother needed help.
The boys did the chief work in their sisters’ gardens; and their
greatest joy was to present little nosegays to their mother and sisters.
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?
_Woman._ A piece of bread; for I have had none to eat.
_William_ had a bit in his hand; he had just begun to eat it. He
stopped, and thought to himself—If I had nothing to eat, and I saw a
person who had a great piece of bread, what should I wish?—that he
should give me some. So the good child broke off all but a very little
bit, (for he was very hungry) and said,
You shall have this bread which the maid gave me just now. We should
‘do as we would be done by.’
Good boy! said his mother, who chanced to pass that way, come and kiss
me. _William_ ran to his dear mother, and hugged her; saying, I am
never so happy as when you say, good boy.
_Mother._ I was seeking for _Mary_ to tell her that _Mrs. Lovechild_
has sent to have you all go with us: but for your reward, you shall
carry the message to the rest. Go; I know it will give you great
pleasure to rejoice your brothers and sisters.
[Illustration: Decoration]