I made an experiment or two, and found the predicted consequences follow: I ran him aground, first on one bank, then on the other. But when I did so a third time,-- "Come! come!" he said: "this won't do, Mrs. Percivale. You're not trying your best. There is such a thing as gradation in steering as well as in painting, or music, or any thing else that is worth doing." "I pull the right line, don't I?" I said; for I was now in a mood to tease him. "Yes--to a wrong result," he answered. "You must feel your rudder, as you would the mouth of your horse with the bit, and not do any thing violent, except in urgent necessity." I answered by turning the head of the boat right towards the nearer bank. "I see!" he said, with a twinkle in his eyes. "I have put a dangerous power into your hands. But never mind. The queen may decree as she likes; but the sinews of war, you know"-- I thought he meant that if I went on with my arbitrary behavior, he would drop his oars; and for a little while I behaved better. Soon, however, the spirit of mischief prompting me, I began my tricks again: to my surprise I found that I had no more command over the boat than over the huge barge, which, with its great red-brown sail, was slowly ascending in front of us; I couldn't turn its head an inch in the direction I wanted. "What does it mean, Percivale?" I cried, pulling with all my might, and leaning forward that I might pull the harder. "What does what mean?" he returned coolly. "That I can't move the boat." "Oh! It means that I have resumed the reins of government." "But how? I can't understand it." "And I am wiser than to make you too wise. Education is _not_ a panacea for moral evils. I quote your father, my dear." And he pulled away as if nothing were the matter. "Please, I like steering," I said remonstratingly. "And I like rowing." "I don't see why the two shouldn't go together." "Nor I. They ought. But not only does the steering depend on the rowing, but the rower can steer himself." "I will be a good girl, and steer properly." "Very well; steer away." He looked shorewards as he spoke; and then first I became aware that he had been watching my hands all the time. The boat now obeyed my lightest touch.