some of the larger boys think it is not scholarlike to play, and sit
mewed up in the house from morning till night, like so many drones.'

'And so grow pale and sickly-looking, do they not?'

'Yes, sir; and what's more, I don't think they learn a bit faster than
some of the rest of us.'

'Very likely, Harry--for whether they think proper attention to the body
important or not, the state of the mind depends very much upon it. A
healthy mind, that is, a perfectly sound, active, and energetic one,
cannot dwell in a diseased body; and so your play, while it amuses you,
and seems to others to be mere waste of time, invigorates the body,
affords rest to the mind, and is in reality as essential to your
well-being as the food you eat, or the clothing you wear in winter.'

'I wish Mr Titus could hear you say that, father.'

'Perhaps it would not be safe to talk so to all his boys, for I presume
the most of them would at present be more benefited by what he says.
Children seldom love study too well. Even our little book-worm, Effie,
would never become too much engaged in anything but a story.'

'Father, Thomas Marvin says that he can't get to school for a while,
and he can't spend the time in exercise; as he says fun takes his mind
off his books, and makes him lose a great deal. He is intending to teach
a school when he goes away from here, but I don't believe he will, for
he looks sickly now. But he thinks it is very foolish to spend time in
jumping about, and all that, when there are things so much more
important to be done.'