Page:Story of the robins.djvu/79

Rh the sight of the Learned Pig, which has lately been shown in London, has deranged these ideas, and I know not what to think."

This led to a conversation on the instinct of animals, which young readers would not understand; it would therefore be useless to insert it.

As soon as the company was gone, "Pray, mamma," said Harriet, "what did the Learned Pig do? I had a great mind to ask Mrs. Franks, who said she saw it; but I was fearful she would think me impertinent."

"I commend your modesty, my dear," replied Mrs. Benson, "but would not have it lead you into such a degree of restraint as to prevent you satisfying that laudable curiosity, without which young persons must remain ignorant of many things very proper for them to be acquainted with. Mrs. Franks would, I am sure, have been far from thinking you impertinent. Those inquiries only are thought troublesome by which children interrupt conversation, and endeavour to attract attention to their own insignificant prattle; but all people of good sense and good nature delight in giving them useful information.

"In respect to the Learned Pig I have heard things which are quite astonishing in a species of