But the boy
who does not grumble when he is told not to go out because it is
raining and he has a cold, will not perhaps grumble either should he
happen to find his dinner not at all nice."
Davie hung his head. It had been a very small grumble, but there are
no sins for which there is less reason or less excuse than small
ones: in no sense are they worth committing. And we grown people
commit many more such than little children, and have our reward in
childishness instead of childlikeness.
"It is so easy," continued Donal, "to do the thing we ordain
ourselves, for in holding to it we make ourselves out fine
fellows!--and that is such a mean kind of thing! Then when another
who has the right, lays a thing upon us, we grumble--though it be
the truest and kindest thing, and the most reasonable and needful
for us--even for our dignity--for our being worth anything! Depend
upon it, Davie, to do what we are told is a far grander thing than
to lay the severest rules upon ourselves--ay, and to stick to them,
too!"
"But might there not be something good for us to do that we were not
told of?"
"Whoever does the thing he is told to do--the thing, that is, that
has a plain ought in it, will become satisfied that there is one who
will not forget to tell him what must be done as soon as he is fit
to do it."
The conversation lasted only while Donal ate his breakfast, with the
little fellow standing beside him; it was soon over, but not soon to
be forgotten.
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