selfishness and condemn it, and the selfish child himself, following
the strong, childish impulse of imitation, learns to hate his own
fault; and so quick is the forgiveness of children that he needs only
to begin to repent before the circle of his mates receives him again.

This is one reason why the Kindergarten takes children at such an
early age. Aiming, as it does, to lay the foundations for right
thinking and feeling, it must begin before wrong foundations are too
deeply laid. Its gentle, searching methods straighten the strong will
that is growing crooked, and strengthen the enfeebled one.

[Sidenote: Intimate Association a Help]

But if the selfish child is too old for the Kindergarten, he should
belong to a club. Consistent selfishness will not long be tolerated
here. The tacit or outspoken rebuke of his mates has many times the
force of a domestic rebuke; because thereby he sees himself, at least
for a time, as his comrades see him, and never thereafter entirely
loses his suspicion that they may be right. Their individual judgment
he may defy, but their collective judgment has in it an almost magical
power, and convinces him in spite of himself.

[Sidenote: Cultivate Affections]

Whatever strong affections the selfish boy shows most be carefully
cultivated. Love for another is the only sure cure for selfishness. If
he loves animals, let him have pets, and give into his hands the whole
responsibility for the care of them. It is better to let the poor
animals suffer some neglect, than to take away from the boy the
responsibility for their condition. They serve him only so far as