,--he does not send an order in _words_; he only hoists
flags of a particular kind upon the masts of his vessel, and they all
obey them.

"Now, suppose," continued he, "one of the ships did not sail as he
wished, and when he called the captain to account for it, he should say
that he was not guilty of disobedience, because he did not _tell_ him to
sail so."

Rollo laughed, and said he thought that would not be a very good excuse.

"Well, it is just such an excuse as yours. I did not positively command
you not to go near the boys, or not to have any conversation with them
at all, though I expressed my wish that you would not, so that you could
not help understanding it."

Rollo could not deny that this was so.

"But that is not the only case of disobedience. For you did one thing
which was contrary to _my express command in words_."

Rollo looked concerned, and said he was sure he did not know it.

"I told you not to go out of my sight."

"Well, but, father," said Rollo eagerly, in reply, "I am sure I did not
mean to. I was picking berries so busy, I did not observe where I was."

"I know you were, and that was the disobedience; for when I command you
to keep in sight of me, that means that you must take good care that you
_do_ mind where you are. Suppose I were to tell Jonas that he might go
and take a walk, but that he must be sure to come back in half an hour,
and he should go, and pay no attention to the time, and so not come back
until three quarters of an hour; would that be obedience?"

"No, sir; but it would not be so bad as it would be if he should stay
away when he _knew_ that the time was out."

"No, it would not be so wilful an act of disobedience, but it would be
disobedience, notwithstanding. You see, Rollo," he continued, "when I
tell you or any boy to come back in half an hour, there are two things
implied in the command--first, that you should _notice the time_, and,
secondly, that you should come back when the time is out. Now, you may
disobey the command by neglecting either of these."

"Yes, sir," said Rollo, "I see we may, but I did not think of it
before."

"No, I presume you did not," said his father; "but I want you to
understand it, and remember it after this forever. You have disobeyed,
to-day, in two ways, in which boys are very apt to disobey, when they do
not mean to do it wilfully. I will tell you what the principles are,
again, so that you can remember and tell me when I ask