HELEN: I heard a lady say that she drank a cup of tea and it kept her awake half the night. MOTHER: It often has this effect. If one has not been using it, this is more apt to be the case, and this shows that tea contains poison, and that it is not good for the body. When a person can not sleep, he should know that danger is near. The master of the house we live in must have rest. Sweet sleep is the best rest for a tired brain; for while Sleep has charge of the body, she cleans the brain and makes it bright and ready to do more work. If it does not get rest, it becomes ill, and sometimes people lose the right use of the mind; then we say they are insane, or crazy. That means that they do not know what they are doing. They may try to kill themselves or other people, and they must be locked up in strong rooms, so they can not get away and do themselves or others harm. Sometimes they get well, but many live for years in this sad con-di´tion. It often comes because people injure their brains with strong drink. PERCY: Do not people who sell such drinks often stay up late at night? MOTHER: I think they nearly always do. The people who are at the saloons should be in their beds, letting their brains and bodies rest. When at last they go to bed, the brain is stupid because of the strong drink they have taken. They lie in bed long after the sun is up, and when they rise, they feel worn out instead of rested. The poor brain bears such treatment for a time, but at last reason is gone, and the person is ruined for life. ELMER: What a shame! I know one lad who will never go where beer and whisky are sold, and who will have his sleep at night if he can get it. PERCY: And I know another. MOTHER: I trust that my boys will never do anything to hurt the brain and drive sleep away. “Go to bed early--wake up with joy; Go to bed late--cross girl or boy. Go to bed early--ready for play; Go to bed late--moping all day. Go to bed early--no pains or ills; Go to bed late--doctors and pills.” —_St. Nicholas._ A WICKED THIEF MOTHER: You know all houses are in danger from thieves. When no one is watching, in the dark night, they come and steal our money and the most precious things we have. There is also a bold thief who takes delight in robbing the body-house. ELMER: But who can it be? I’m sure no one would want to steal me. AMY: Nor me. MOTHER: You know thieves always try to find some way to get into a house when they wish to steal, and this robber is just like the rest. It is a little over three hundred years old, and it grows more bold and cunning every year. PERCY: Please tell us its name, mother.