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From Boyhood to Manhood - Life of Benjamin Franklin by William M. (William Makepeace) Thayer
page 103 of 486 (21%)
turned our attention to what was good, just, and prudent, in the
conduct of life; and little or no notice was ever taken of what
related to the victuals on the table; whether it was well or ill
dressed, in or out of season, of good or bad flavor, preferable or
inferior to this or that other thing of the kind; so that I was
brought up in such a perfect inattention to those matters, as to be
quite indifferent what kind of food was set before me. Indeed, I am so
unobservant of it, that to this day I can scarce tell, a few hours
after dinner, of what dishes it consisted. This has been a great
convenience to me in travelling, where my companions have been
sometimes very unhappy for want of a suitable gratification of their
more delicate, because better instructed, tastes and appetites."

This was different from much of the table-talk that is heard in many
families now.

"I do not want any of that, I do not love it," exclaims one child. "I
should think you might have a better dinner than this."

"What would you have if you could get it; roast chicken and plum
pudding?" his mother replies, in a facetious way, instead of reproving
him.

"I would have something I could eat. You know I do not love that, and
never did."

"Well, it does boys good, sometimes, to eat what they do not love,
especially such particular ones as you are," adds his father.

"I sha'n't eat what I do not like, anyhow; I shall go hungry first."
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