'For otherwise,' continued she, 'I have lost my breath in reading
to you; and you will be worse, rather than better, for what you
have heard. Pray observe, that Benefico's happiness arose entirely
from his goodness: he had less strength, and less riches, than
the cruel monster; and yet, by the good use he made of what he
possessed, you see how he turned all things to his advantage. But
particularly remember, that the good little Mignon, in the moment
that he was patiently submitting to his sufferings, found a method
of relieving himself from them, and of overcoming a barbarous
monster, who had so cruelly abused him.

'Our good governess last night not only instructed me in this
moral I am now communicating to you, but likewise bid me warn you
by no means to let the notion of giants or magic to dwell upon
your minds; for by a giant is meant no more than a man of great
power; and the magic fillet round the head of the statue was only
intended to teach you, that by the assistance of patience you may
overcome all difficulties.

'In order therefore to make what you read of any use to you, you
must not only think of it thus in general, but make the
application to yourselves. For when (as now) instead of improving
yourselves by reading, you make what you read a subject to quarrel
about, what is this less than being like the monster Barbarico,
who turned his very riches to a curse? I am sure it is not
following the example of Benefico, who made everything a blessing
to him. Remember, if you pinch and abuse a dog or cat, because it
is in your power, you are like the cruel Monster, when he abused
the little Mignon, and said,