"I cannot tell you a story very well, this morning, but I can give you a
lecture on playthings, if you wish."
"Very well, mother, we should like that," said the boys.
They did not know very well what a lecture was, but they thought that
any thing which their mother would propose would be interesting.
"Do you know what a lecture is?" said she.
"Not exactly," said Rollo.
"Why, I should explain to you about playthings,--the various kinds,
their use, the way to keep them, and to derive the most pleasure from
them, &c. Giving you this information will not be as _interesting_ to
you as to hear a story; but it will be more _useful_, if you attend
carefully, and endeavor to remember what I say."
The boys thought they should like the lecture, and promised to attend.
Rollo said he would remember it all; and so his mother began.
"The value of a plaything does not consist in itself, but in the
pleasure it awakens in your mind. Do you understand that?"
"Not very well," said Rollo.
"If you should give a round stick to a baby on the floor, and let him
strike the floor with it, he would be pleased.
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