May I run and catch him ?" "You may try," said her mother.
Louisa ran till she was tired, and then came back to her mother, looking a little disappointed.
"I could not catch him, mother." "Never mind," said her mother, "you had a good time trying, at any rate.
Perhaps you will see another by-and-by.

You may possibly see a bird, and you can try and see if you can catch _him_." So Louisa ran off to play again, satisfied and happy.
A little farther on a pretty tree was growing, not far from the path on one side.

A short, half-decayed log lay at the foot of the tree, overtopped and nearly concealed by a growth of raspberry-bushes, grass, and wild flowers.
"Louisa," said the mother, "do you see that tree with the pretty flowers at the foot of it ?" "Yes, mother." "I would rather not have you go near that tree.

Come over to this side of the path, and keep on this side till you get by." Louisa began immediately to obey, but as she was crossing the path she looked up to her mother and asked why she must not go near the tree.
"I am glad you would like to know why," replied her mother, "and I will tell you the reason as soon as we get past." Louisa kept on the other side of the path until the tree was left well behind, and then came back to her mother to ask for the promised reason.
"It was because I heard that there was a wasp's nest under that tree," said her mother.
"A wasp's nest!" repeated Louisa, with a look of alarm.
"Yes," rejoined her mother, "and I was afraid that the wasps might sting you." Louisa paused a moment, and then, looking back towards the tree, said, "I am glad I did not go near it." "And I am glad that you obeyed me so readily," said her mother.

"I knew you would obey me at once, without my giving any reason.