Lesson:

Mary. I wish you would lend me your thimble, Sarah. I can never find my own.


Sarah. Why is it, Mary, you can never find it?


Mary. How can I tell? But if you will not lend me yours, I can borrow one elsewhere.


Sarah. I am willing to lend mine to you, Mary. But I would very much like to know why you come to me to borrow so often.


Mary. Because you never lose any of your things, and always know where to find them.


Sarah. And why do I always know where to find my things?


Mary. I do not know why, I am sure. If I did know, I might sometimes find my own.


Sarah. I will tell you the secret. I have a place for everything, and I put everything in its place when I have done using it.


Mary. O Sarah! who wants to run and put away a thing as soon as she has used it, as if her life depended upon it?


Sarah. Our life does not depend upon it, but our comfort does, surely. How much more time will it take to put a thing in its place, than to hunt for it or to borrow whenever you want to use it?


Mary. Well, Sarah, I will never borrow of you again, you may depend upon it.


Sarah. You are not offended with me, I hope.


Mary. No, but I am ashamed. Before night, I will have a place for everything, and then I will keep everything in its place. You have taught me a lesson that I shall remember.