age of introspection and analysis. We have only to glance at the
principal novels and plays during the last quarter of a century, more
especially during the last ten years, to see how this spirit has crept
into our literature and life.

Now, this tendency to analyze is obviously more dangerous for children
than for adults, because, from lack of experience and knowledge of
psychology, the child's analysis is incomplete. It cannot see all the
causes of the action, nor can it make that philosophical allowance for
mood which brings the adult to truer conclusions.

Therefore, we should discourage the child who shows a tendency to
analyze too closely the motives of its action, and refrain from
presenting to them in our stories any example which might encourage
them to persist in this course.

I remember, on one occasion, when I went to say good night to a little
girl of my acquaintance, I found her sitting up in bed, very wide-
awake. Her eyes were shining, her cheeks were flushed, and when I
asked her what had excited her so much, she said:

"I _know_ I have done something wrong today, but I cannot quite
remember what it was."

I said: "But, Phyllis, if you put your hand, which is really quite
small, in front of your eyes, you could not see the shape of anything
else, however large it might be. Now, what you have done today
appears very large because it is so close, but when it is a little
further off, you will be able to see better and know more about it.
So let us wait till tomorrow morning."