the children(孩子们)-第6章
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Being afraid of dogs； this little girl of four years old has all kinds of
dodges to disguise her fear； which she has evidently resolved to keep to
herself。 She will set up a sudden song to distract attention from the fact
that she is placing herself out of the dog's way； and she will pretend to turn
to gather a flower； while she watches the creature out of sight。 On the
other hand； prudence in regard to carts and bicycles is openly displayed；
and the infants are zealous to warn one another。 A rider and his horse are
called briefly 〃a norseback。〃
Children； who see more things than they have names for； show a fine
courage in taking any words that seem likely to serve them； without
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THE CHILDREN
wasting time in asking for the word in use。 This enterprise is most active
at three and four years； when children have more than they can say。 So a
child of those years running to pick up horse… chestnuts； for him a new
species； calls after his mother a full description of what he has found；
naming the things indifferently 〃dough…nuts〃 and 〃cocoa…nuts。〃 And
another； having an anecdote to tell concerning the Thames and a little
brook that joins it near the house； calls the first the 〃front…sea〃 and the
second the 〃back… sea。〃 There is no intention of taking liberties with the
names of thingsonly a cheerful resolve to go on in spite of obstacles。 It
is such a spirit of liberty as most of us have felt when we have dreamt of
improvising a song or improvising a dance。 The child improvises with
such means as he has。
This is； of course； at the very early ages。 A little laterat eight or
ninethere is a very clear…headed sense of the value of words。 So that a
little girl of that age； told that she may buy some fruit； and wishing to
know her limits in spending； asks； 〃What mustn't it be more than？〃 For a
child； who has not the word 〃maximum〃 at hand； nothing could be more
precise and concise。 Still later； there is a sweet brevity that looks almost
like conscious expression； as when a boy writes from his first boarding
school： 〃Whenever I can't stop laughing I have only to think of home。〃
Infinitely different as children are； they differ in nothing more than in
the degree of generosity。 The most sensitive of children is a little gay girl
whose feelings are hurt with the greatest facility； and who seems； indeed；
to have the susceptibilty of other ages as well as of her ownfor instance；
she cannot endure without a flush of pain to hear herself called fat。 But
she always brings her little wound to him who has wounded her。 The
first confidant she seeks is the offender。 If you have laughed at her she
will not hide her tears elsewhere than on your shoulder。 She confesses by
her exquisite action at one her poor vanity and her humility
The worst of children in the country is their inveterate impulse to use
death as their toy。 Immediately on their discovery of some pretty insect；
one tender child calls to the other 〃Dead it。〃
Children do not look at the sky unless it is suggested to them to do so。
When the sun dips to the narrow horizon of their stature； and comes to the
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THE CHILDREN
level of their eyes； even then they are not greatly interested。 Enormous
clouds； erect； with the sun behind； do not gain their eyes。 What is of
annual interest is the dark。 Having fallen asleep all the summer by
daylight； and having awakened after sunrise； children find a stimulus of
fun and fear in the autumn darkness outside the windows。 There is a
frolic with the unknown blackness； with the reflections； and with the
country night。
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EXPRESSION
Strange to say； the eyes of children； whose minds are so small； express
intelligence better than do the greater number of adult eyes。 David
Garrick's were evidently unpreoccupied； like theirs。 The look of
intelligence is outwardfrankly directed upon external things； it is
observant； and therefore mobile without inner restlessness。 For restless
eyes are the least observant of all they move by a kind of distraction。
The looks of observant eyes； moving with the living things they keep in
sight； have many pauses as well as flights。 This is the action of
intelligence； whereas the eyes of intellect are detained or darkened。
Rational perception； with all its phases of humour； are best expressed
by a child； who has few second thoughts to divide the image of his
momentary feeling。 His simplicity adds much to the manifestation of his
intelligence。 The child is the last and lowest of rational creatures； for in
him the 〃rational soul〃 closes its long downward flight with the bright
final revelation。
He has also the chief beauty of the irrational soul of the mind； that is；
of the lower animalwhich is singleness。 The simplicity； the integrity；
the one thing at a time； of a good animal's eyes is a great beauty； and is apt
to cause us to exaggerate our sense of their expressiveness。 An animal's
eyes； at their best； are very slightly expressive； languor or alertness； the
quick expectation； even the aloofness of doubt they are able to show； but
the showing is mechanical； the human sentiment of the spectator adds the
rest。
All this simplicity the child has； at moments； with the divisions and
delicacies of the rational soul； also。 His looks express the first； the last；
and the clearest humanity。 He is the first by his youth and the last by his
lowliness。 He is the beginning and the result of the creation of man。
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UNDER THE EARLY STARS
Play is not for every hour of the day； or for any hour taken at random。
There is a tide in the affairs of children。 Civilization is cruel in sending
them to bed at the most stimulating time of dusk。 Summer dusk；
especially； is the frolic moment for children； baffle them how you may。
They may have been in a pottering mood all day； intent upon all kinds of
close industries； breathing hard over choppings and poundings。 But
when late twilight comes； there comes also the punctual wildness。 The
children will run and pursue； and laugh for the mere movementit does so
jog their spirits。
What remembrances does this imply of the hunt； what of the predatory
dark？ The kitten grows alert at the same hour； and hunts for moths and
crickets in the grass。 It comes like an imp； leaping on all fours。 The
children lie in ambush
