The child went singing up-stairs as happy as she could be.

"You see, Sarah, that kind words are more effective than harsh names
with children. Mary didn't touch your work-basket."

"But she went to the book-case, which was just as bad. Children must
be in some mischief."

"Not so bad, Sarah; for she had been made to comprehend why it was
wrong to go to your basket, but not so of the book-case."

"I'm sure I've scolded her about taking down the books fifty times,
and still, every chance she can get, she's at them again."

"You may have scolded her; but scolding a child and making it
comprehend its error are two things. Scolding darkens the mind by
arousing evil passions, instead of enlightening it with clear
perceptions of right and, wrong. _No child is ever improved by
scolding, but always injured_."

"There are few children who are not injured, then. I should like to
see a mother get along with a parcel of children without scolding
them."

"It is a sad truth, as you say, that there are but few children who
are not injured by scolding. No cause is so active for evil among
children as their mother's impatience, which shows itself from the
first, and acts upon them through the whole period in which their
minds are taking impressions and hardening into permanent forms.
Like you, Sarah, our own mother had but little patience among her