Mr. Steady was walking out with his little son, when he met a boy with
a satchel on his shoulder, crying and sobbing dismally. Mr. Steady
accosted him, kindly inquiring what was the matter.
_Mr. Steady._ Why do you cry?
_Boy._ They send me to school: and I do not like it.
_Mr. Steady._ You are a silly boy! what! would you play all day?
_Boy._ Yes, I would.
_Mr. Steady._ None but babies do that; your friends are very kind to
you.—If they have not time to teach you themselves, then it is their
duty to send you where you may be taught; but you must take pains
yourself, else you will be a dunce.
_Little Steady._ Pray, may I give him my book of fables out of my
pocket?
_Mr. Steady._ Do, my dear.
_Little Steady._ Here it is—it will teach you to do as you are bid—I am
never happy when I have been naughty—are you happy?
_Boy._ I cannot be happy; no person loves me.
_Little Steady._ Why?
_Mr. Steady._ I can tell you why; because he is not good.
_Boy._ I wish I was good.
_Mr. Steady._ Then try to be so; it is easy; you have only to do as
your parents and friends desire you.
_Boy._ But why should I go to school?
_Mr. Steady._ Good children ask for no reasons; a wise child knows that
his parents can best judge what is proper; and unless they choose to
explain the reason of their orders, he trusts that they have a good
one; and he obeys without inquiry.
_Little Steady._ I will not say _why_ again, when I am told what to do;
but will always do as I am bid immediately. Pray, sir, tell the story
of Miss _Wilful_.
_Mr. Steady._ Miss _Wilful_ came to stay a few days with me; now
she knew that I always would have children obey me: so she did as I
bade her; but she did not always do a thing as soon as she was spoken
to; and would often whine out _why?_—_that_ always seems to me like
saying—_I think I am as wise as you are; and I would disobey you if I
durst_.
One day I saw Miss _Wilful_ going to play with a dog, with which I knew
it was not proper for her to meddle; and I said. Let that dog alone.
Why? said Miss—I play with _Wag_, and I play with _Phillis_, and why
may I not play with _Pompey_.