Chapter 9

INJURY OF THE NEST

We who love birds would not do anything to injure their homes, but there are some children who have not learned to love birds or who are thoughtless and injure their nests, sometimes even tearing them to pieces or breaking off the limb of the tree.

There also are thoughtless children who do things to injure their bodies. You would think it very foolish to allow someone to put a bee on your face that would sting you and yet there are some thoughtless children who would do just that if you would let them. They might even try to tell you it would not hurt you, but of course you would know better. You, who know how necessary is every part of the body, would not allow anyone to injure any part of it, especially the part that contains the mother nest. Think how badly the mother bird must have felt when the child destroyed the nest, and think how badly you would feel, when it came time for you to marry and have a baby, if you found the nest had been so injured that you could not have any. You know, the nest as well as the rest of the body belongs to you alone, and no one has a right to injure it, but sometimes girls are as careless or as thoughtless as the boy with the bee and do things that are harmful. I have told you how to care for this mother nest so it will grow well and strong, but now I must tell you something more. As you go out in the world you will meet some girls and some boys who have never been told these things and do not understand all the things you do. Sometimes they have very wrong ideas and will do many things that are harmful. Not only that, but they will try to get you to do them. Some little girls who do not understand what their organs are for will even play with them, for they think it gives them a pleasurable sensation. I am sure they would not do this if they understood that by so doing they were injuring the precious nest. You know if you or anyone else would put things into your eyes or ears or play with them in any way you might lose your sight or hearing. It is the same way with the mother nest and other organs. The best plan is to just keep them clean and then not touch them at any other time nor allow anyone else to do so. But in bathing the parts you must be careful to have your own towel and not use any cloths that have been used by other people, for there are some dreadful diseases, called the black plagues, that can be carried to these organs by anything that is not strictly clean, and these diseases sometimes destroy the nest and ovules. So you must be careful in all you do.

If at any time, Violet, questions come up in your mind as to what is the best thing for you to do, remember that mother will be glad to answer them or will help you obtain books that will explain things to you. Do not go to your companions, for they might not understand and would give you wrong ideas. In school we have text books and a teacher, who is older and more experienced than we, to whom we can go for help in our school problems. We know she will tell us the right solution and we know it is better to go to her than to the other pupils. So in this study of our bodies and the care of them, we must learn from some one older and more experienced, or we must study books that have been written for that purpose. Then we will be sure to obtain the right ideas.

After a while, when you are grown and it is nearing the time for you to marry, I will tell you some things about the care of the baby and how you may have a good-natured, healthy child. But now all you need to do for a number of years is to take good care of this mother nest and the rest of your body, so it will grow strong and well.

* * * * *

THE GIRL WANTED

BY

NIXON WATERMAN

Cheerful, friendly talks to young women, telling them how they can mould their temperaments and shape their characters to sweetest and noblest influence.

Every young woman should read this book. Every parent should make it a point to have her read it. Every institution dedicated to her instruction should introduce to her this beautiful book of the heart and mind.--_Boston Globe._

There is nothing trite or juiceless in this book. Every paragraph is appetizing. A girl will be glad she has read it, and will be the better, the sweeter, the happier therefor.--_The Journal of Education._

No one can resist it. A fine book for presentation at graduation, either from grammar or high school.--_The World's Chronicle._

Will at once win the reader's heart. In these pages one does not rake among dry leaves, but rather wanders through sweet-smelling meadows.--_Christian Endeavor World._

Illustrated. Beautiful cover. Cloth, 8vo.

PRICE, $1.25

_For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid by the publishers_

FORBES & COMPANY, CHICAGO

* * * * *

HAPPY SCHOOL DAYS

A BOOK FOR GIRLS

BY MARGARET E. SANGSTER

In this book Mrs. Sangster writes charmingly and sympathetically of the things nearest to the hearts of girls. It discusses the school, home and entire life of the girl in her teens.

It ought to reach the hands of every girl.--_St. Paul Pioneer Press._

The book is as fascinating as a story.--_Des Moines Register and Leader._

Every girl's mother ought to make her a present of this book.--_St. Louis Times._

A charming book pervaded with the spirit of sweet friendliness, complete comprehension and joyous helpfulness.--_Chicago News._

An interesting, suggestive, sensible Book, in which Mrs. Sangster is at her best. It is a book of great worth, and whoever extends its usefulness by increasing its readers is a public benefactor.--_The Journal of Education._

Handsome cover. Decorated box. Cloth, 12mo.

PRICE, $1.25

_For sale by all booksellers or sent postpaid by the publishers_

FORBES & COMPANY, CHICAGO

* * * * *