One day when the children were assembled in the gallery, having none of their usual lessons at hand, I took from my pocket a piece of paper, and promised them that if they would answer me every question I put concerning the paper, I would at last make a paper boat.  I proceeded in the following manner:  “What is this?” “What colour?” “What is its use?” “How made!” “What made of?” &c.  These questions being answered according to their different views, and having folded the paper into a variety of forms, and obtained their ideas upon such forms, I proceeded to fulfil my promise of forming it into the shape of a boat; but the children, seeing me at a loss, exclaimed, “Please, sir, you can’t do it;” which proved the fact, as I had forgotten the plan, and was obliged to make the confession.  “Then, sir,” rejoined one of the boys, “you should not have promised.”

In the course of my observations I had frequently enjoined the children to make every possible use of their thinking powers, but it appears I had at the same time forgotten to make use of my own, and consequently had been betrayed into a promise which I was not able to perform.

I remember some other instances: 

One of the children happened to kick another.  The injured party complained to the person who then had the charge of the school, saying, “Please, sir, this boy kicked me.”  It being time for the children to leave school, the master waved his hand towards the gate through which the children pass, thoughtlessly saying, at the same time, “Kick away;” meaning that the complainant was to take no more notice of the affair, but go home.  The complainant, however, returning to the other child, began kicking him, and received some kicks himself.  A friend was present, and seeing two children kicking each other, he very naturally inquired the reason.  “Please, sir,” replied the children, “master told us!” “Master told you,” says the gentleman, “that cannot be; I’ll ask him.”  He accordingly inquired into the truth of the affair, and received for answer, “Certainly not.”  “Yes,” said the child, “you did, sir; did not I tell you just now that a boy kicked me?” “Yes,” says the master, “you did.”  “Then, please sir,” says the child, “you told me to go and kick away!” The master immediately recollected that he had said so.

This fact shews how improper it is to say one thing to a child and mean another.  These children were under the influence of obedience, and in the light of truth, and being in that light, they could see from no other, and very naturally concluded the master meant what he had said.