On having this explanation made to the company, Jack felt very much confused and ashamed, while Henry, though he said nothing, could not help feeling pleased.
"And now," asks the mother, in conclusion, "which of these boys do you think came off the best ?" Johnny answers that Henry came out best.
"Yes," adds his mother, "and it is always better that people's merits, if they have any, should come out in other ways than by their own boasting of them." It is true that this case of Henry and Jack does not correspond exactly--not even nearly, in fact--with that of Johnny and his cousin.

Nor is it necessary that the instruction given in these ways should logically conform to the incident which calls them forth.

It is sufficient that there should be such a degree of analogy between them, that the interest and turn of thought produced by the incident may prepare the mind for appreciating and receiving the lesson.

But the mother may bring the lesson nearer if she pleases.
"I will tell you another story," she says.

"There were two men at a fair.
Their names were Thomas and Philip.
"Thomas was boasting of his strength.