e side or the other,
might have made you a cripple for life. You hit the right place
exactly. It is a great thing for a boy who has a hatchet for a
plaything, to know how to cut himself in the right place."
[Illustration: THE DOCTOR'S VISIT.]
The doctor then said that he would not disturb the bandage, as he had
no doubt that the wound would do very well under the treatment which
Mrs. Henry herself had administered. He said that in a few days he
thought it would be nearly well.
It might be prudent, however, he added, not to walk upon that foot in
the mean time. There might be some small possibility in that case, of
getting the wound irritated, so as to bring on an inflammation, and
that might lead to serious consequences.
The doctor then bade Phonny good-bye, telling him that he hoped he
would be as patient and good-natured in bearing his confinement, as he
had been dextrous in the mode of inflicting the wound. And so he went
away.
CHAPTER X.
GOOD ADVICE.
Phonny was confined nearly a week with his wound. They moved the sofa
on which he was lying up into a corner of the room, near Mrs. Henry's
window, and there Stuyvesant and Malleville brought various things to
him to amuse him.
He was very patient and good-natured during his confinement to this
sofa. Wallace came to see him soon after he was hurt, and gave him
some good advice in this respect.
"Now," said Wallace, "you have an opportunity to cultivate and show
one mark of manliness which we like to see in boys."
"I should think you would like to see all marks of manliness in boys,"
said Phonny.
"Oh no," said Wallace. "Some traits of manly character we like, and
some we don't like."
"What don't we like?" asked Phonny.
"Why--there are many," said Wallace, hesitating and considering. "We
don't desire to see in boys the sedateness and gravity of demeanor
that we like to see in men. We like to see them playful and joyous
while they are boys."
"I thought it was better to be sober," said Phonny.
"No," said Wallace, "not for boys. Boys ought to be sober at proper
times; but in their plays and in their ordinary occupations, it is
better for them to be frolicsome and light-hearted. Their time for
care and thoughtful concern has not come. The only way by which they
can form good healthy constitutions, is to run about a great deal, and
have a great deal of frolicking and fun. Only they must be careful not
to let their fun and frolicking
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