_Sophy._ I do not know, papa: I learnt the verses, and that is all.

_Mr. B._ But that should not be all. There is a very useful lesson
hidden in that story. Try and find it out.

_Ferdinand._ I think I know it.

_Louisa._ And so do I.

_Mr. B._ And so will Sophy, when she has considered a little.

_Sophy._ Aye: yes. I think I have found it out, papa. You mean, that
the tale should teach little boys and girls never to taste things they
do not understand, for fear they should be killed, like the poor little
pigs.

_Mr. B._ That is exactly what I meant, Sophy; and, I assure you, I have
heard of children who have been actually poisoned, by incautiously
eating berries, and other things, which they had met with in their
country walks. You, my dear, have a sad habit of putting leaves and
flowers into your mouth. I hope you will endeavour to break yourself of
it, as, I assure you, it is very dangerous.

_Sophy._ I am going to try to leave it off, papa; for I made my tongue
very sore yesterday, by biting the stalk of a flower, that Ferdinand and
Louisa called lords and ladies.

_Mr. B._ That is an _arum_, the juice of which is, I believe, extremely