Page 691 - LITTLE WOMEN

Little Women

is so beautiful and precious to parents as the first years of
the little lives given to them to train. Don’t let John be a
stranger to the babies, for they will do more to keep him
safe and happy in this world of trial and temptation than

anything else, and through them you will learn to know
and love one another as you should. Now, dear, good-by.
Think over Mother’s preachment, act upon it if it seems
good, and God bless you all.’
Meg did think it over, found it good, and acted upon
it, though the first attempt was not made exactly as she
planned to have it. Of course the children tyrannized over
her, and ruled the house as soon as they found out that
kicking and squalling brought them whatever they
wanted. Mamma was an abject slave to their caprices, but
Papa was not so easily subjugated, and occasionally
afflicted his tender spouse by an attempt at paternal
discipline with his obstreperous son. For Demi inherited a
trifle of his sire’s firmness of character, we won’t call it
obstinacy, and when he made up his little to have or to do
anything, all the king’s horses and all the king’s men could
not change that pertinacious little mind. Mamma thought
the dear too young to be taught to conquer his prejudices,
but Papa believed that it never was too soon to learn
obedience. So Master Demi early discovered that when he

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