think you swept it. See there--and there--and there,"--and he pointed
out numerous little heaps of dirt, and scraps of paper, which had
escaped Oscar's broom. "Now," he continued, "let me show you how to
sweep. In the first place, always sprinkle the floor a little, to
prevent the dust flying, as I told you a day or two ago. You omitted
that this morning, did n't you?"

"Yes, sir," replied Oscar.

"Well, just remember it hereafter, for the dust injures the goods.
There 's water enough, now pass me the broom, and I 'll show you how to
handle it. Look, now--that 's the way to sweep--get all the dirt out
from the corners and crevices, and along the edges, and under the
counters. Use the broom as though you meant to do something, and were
not afraid of it. There, that 's the way to sweep clean--so--and so,"
and Mr. Preston continued his explanations and illustrations, until he
had swept the entire floor.

"There, now, does n't that look better?" he added, after he had
finished sweeping. "If a thing is worth doing at all, it is worth
doing well--that's the true doctrine, Oscar. I hope you won't get in
the habit of making half-way work with whatever you undertake. If I
never expected to do anything but sweep chimneys or dig clams for a
living, I would do it thoroughly and faithfully. Of all things, I
despise a lazy, slovenly workman."

It was a very common thing with Oscar to slight his work, when he could
not get rid of it entirely. This was partly the result of a want of
interest in it, and partly the result of habit. The child who performs
a task reluctantly, will not be very likely to do it well.