Part 36

MOTHER: Yes, Amy; and a better one never lived. Sometimes when the house is all out of order, and the father and mother watch over some little body moaning with pain and tossing with fever, Sleep comes in and gives the dear child a long, sweet rest, and the good doctor says: “I am so glad! She will get better now.” He knows that if he can get Sleep to nurse his sick people, they will all “do well.” She is so kind that she comes of herself, takes us in her arms, comforts us, and when we are quite rested, she leaves us to do as we will till she is needed again. She never asks pay for her services, and the most skilful nurse never had such success as she in taking away care and worry, and in building up the house we live in.

PERCY: But why must we sleep, mother?

MOTHER: Because when we are awake, the body wears out faster than Blood can mend it, but if we go to sleep, she can mend faster than it wears out. We need sleep as much, and I sometimes think more, than we need food and drink. When we feel tired and drowsy, that is the call of the nurse for us to give ourselves into her care.

AMY: Should we sleep in the daytime?

MOTHER: Very young children should; for their body-houses are building fast, and so they need much sleep. Very old people sometimes need sleep in the daytime, because their houses are wearing out fast; but, as a rule, we should sleep during the night, and keep awake during the day.

ELMER: How long should we sleep?

MOTHER: Some need more than others do. Grown people need seven or eight hours and children should have still more. When we wake up, we should get up. The Duke of Wellington once said, “When it’s time to turn over, it’s time to turn out.”

HELEN: How can we get to sleep if wakeful when we go to bed?

MOTHER: Those who can not sleep well should spend much time out-of-doors during the day. One should not eat for several hours before going to bed; for if the stomach must work, it often keeps the rest of the body awake. Every one should have a clean bed, and sleep where he can have plenty of pure air. To work till one is tired, if not carried too far, will also help. But, even though a person does all these things, if he tries to sleep when the mind is worried or excited, the gentle nurse will not come. One of the best helpers to sound sleep is a clear conscience, and the knowledge that one has done his best in everything.

HELEN: I heard a lady say that she drank a cup of tea and it kept her awake half the night.

MOTHER: It often has this effect. If one has not been using it, this is more apt to be the case, and this shows that tea contains poison, and that it is not good for the body. When a person can not sleep, he should know that danger is near. The master of the house we live in must have rest. Sweet sleep is the best rest for a tired brain; for while Sleep has charge of the body, she cleans the brain and makes it bright and ready to do more work. If it does not get rest, it becomes ill, and sometimes people lose the right use of the mind; then we say they are insane, or crazy. That means that they do not know what they are doing. They may try to kill themselves or other people, and they must be locked up in strong rooms, so they can not get away and do themselves or others harm. Sometimes they get well, but many live for years in this sad con-di´tion. It often comes because people injure their brains with strong drink.

PERCY: Do not people who sell such drinks often stay up late at night?

MOTHER: I think they nearly always do. The people who are at the saloons should be in their beds, letting their brains and bodies rest. When at last they go to bed, the brain is stupid because of the strong drink they have taken. They lie in bed long after the sun is up, and when they rise, they feel worn out instead of rested. The poor brain bears such treatment for a time, but at last reason is gone, and the person is ruined for life.

ELMER: What a shame! I know one lad who will never go where beer and whisky are sold, and who will have his sleep at night if he can get it.

PERCY: And I know another.

MOTHER: I trust that my boys will never do anything to hurt the brain and drive sleep away.

“Go to bed early--wake up with joy; Go to bed late--cross girl or boy. Go to bed early--ready for play; Go to bed late--moping all day. Go to bed early--no pains or ills; Go to bed late--doctors and pills.”

—St. Nicholas.

A WICKED THIEF

MOTHER: You know all houses are in danger from thieves. When no one is watching, in the dark night, they come and steal our money and the most precious things we have. There is also a bold thief who takes delight in robbing the body-house.

ELMER: But who can it be? I’m sure no one would want to steal me.

AMY: Nor me.

MOTHER: You know thieves always try to find some way to get into a house when they wish to steal, and this robber is just like the rest. It is a little over three hundred years old, and it grows more bold and cunning every year.

PERCY: Please tell us its name, mother.

MOTHER: It is called Tobacco. It was first found in America when the country was discovered, but it did not begin to steal from white men for nearly one hundred years. Sir Walter Raleigh, of whom you will learn in your history, took it from America to England. It is said that Sir Walter one day sent his servant for some beer, and he came back sooner than was expected. He was greatly frightened to see smoke coming out of the mouth and nose of his master, and at once threw the beer into his face to put the fire out, calling loudly for help, and saying that his master was on fire inside, and would surely burn up.

HELEN: It is a pity there are not more such servants now, for they might cure some people of this filthy habit.

ELMER: But why do you call tobacco a thief, mother?

MOTHER: Because it steals.