And if ever you conclude to sell him, I wish you would let me know." So saying, the gentleman walks on, and the horse, followed by his driver, goes galloping forward in high glee.
Now, by simply manifesting thus a fellow-feeling with the boys in their childish play, the stranger not only gives a fresh impulse to their enjoyment at the time, but establishes a friendly relationship between them and him which, without his doing any thing to strengthen or perpetuate it, will of itself endure for a long time.

If he does not speak to the boys again for months, every time they meet him they will be ready to greet him with a smile.
The incident will go much farther towards establishing friendly relations between him and them than any presents that he could make them--except so far as his presents were of such a kind, and were given in such a way, as to be expressions of kindly feeling towards them--that is to say, such as to constitute of themselves a manifestation of sympathy.
The uncle who gives his nephews and nieces presents, let them be ever so costly or beautiful, and takes no interest in their affairs, never inspires them with any feeling of personal affection.

They like him as they like the apple-tree which bears them sweet and juicy apples, or the cow that gives them milk--which is on their part a very different sentiment from that which they feel for the kitten that plays with them and shares their joys--or even for their dolls, which are only pictured in their imagination as sharing them.
_Sophronia and Aurelia_.
Miss Sophronia calls at a house to make a visit.

A child of seven or eight years of age is playing upon the floor.

After a little time, at a pause in the conversation, she calls the child--addressing her as "My little girl"-- to come to her.