ions are always _implied_ in such a case. In all commands, however
positive they may be, there is always some exception implied."

"Why, mother?" said Dwight with surprise.

"It is so," said his mother. "Suppose, for instance, that I were to tell
you to sit down by the parlour fire, and study a lesson, and not to get
out of your chair on any account. And suppose that, after I had gone
and left you, the fire should fall down, and some coals roll out upon
the floor, would it not be your duty to get up, and brush them back?"

"Why, yes," said Dwight.

"So in all cases, very extreme and extraordinary occurrences, that could
not, by possibility, have been considered, make exceptions. And Caleb,
thinking, as he did, that he was in great danger from the cow, if he had
thought of my command at all, he would have done perfectly right to have
considered so extraordinary a case an exception, and so have retreated
towards the brook, notwithstanding my commands. And now that question is
settled."

Here little Caleb, who had been sitting up very straight, and looking
eagerly at his grandmother and at the other boys, during the progress of
the conversation, drew a long breath, and leaned back against the sofa,
as if he felt a good deal relieved.

"And now, Dwight, there is one thing I have seen in you to-day, which
gave me a great deal of pleasure, and another which gave me pain."

"What, mother," said Dwight.

"Why, after I talked with you at noon, about teasing Caleb, you began to
treat him very kindly. That gave me a great deal of pleasure. I saw that
your heart was somewhat changed in regard to Caleb; for you seemed to
take pleasure in making him happy, while before you took delight in
making him miserable."

Dwight looked gratified and pleased while his mother was saying these
things.

"But then, in the course of the afternoon," she continued, "the old
malignant heart seemed to come back again. When I came down to see the
mole, I found you in such a state of mind as to take pleasure in Caleb's
suffering. You wanted to prove that he had told a lie, and looked
disappointed when I shewed you that he had not. Then you wanted to prove
he had disobeyed me, when, after all, you knew very well that he had
not."

"O, mother," said Dwight.

"Yes, Dwight, I am very sorry to have to say so; but you undoubtedly had
no real belief that Caleb had done wrong. Suppose I had told you I was
going to punish him for disobeying me in re