224 NOVEMBER 



in a few years' time, but the interval may have its 

 drawbacks for their relatives. 



They are very outspoken and truthful, like most 

 children of the moment, and not at all greedy. 

 Here is a specimen of the conversation which took 

 place at luncheon the day after their arrival : 



" Aren't you hungry, Basil? Why don't you eat 

 your ham ?" 



" I don't want it, thank you." 

 " Don't you like ham ? " 

 " I like nice ham, thank you." 

 " Will you have some pudding, Edith ?" 

 " No, thank you, Uncle Jim. I never eat 

 pudding." 



"Indeed! Why not ?" 



" Because I don't want to be as fat as auntie." 

 11 Won't you finish your chicken, Basil ? " 

 " No, thank you ; I've had half enough already, 

 and I want to keep the other half for the apple 

 tart." 



All this with perfect propriety of demeanour and 

 without the slightest intention of rudeness. They 

 have no reticences, but speak out their thoughts as 

 a matter of course. Their mother never allows 

 them to be reproved, no matter what they may say or 

 do. She tells me that it is not the custom nowadays. 

 To admonish a child for rudeness or for disobedi- 

 ence might cure a bad habit, but would for ever 

 destroy the confidence which exists between child 

 and parent. Perfect naturalness and complete 

 confidence are the two desirable qualities to 

 encourage in children, and nothing must be done 

 to stifle them. When I was a child I was subject 



