asked the young philosopher , surveying those active portions of his frame with a meditative air , while resting after a go-to-bed frolic one night . `` It 's your little mind , Demi , '' replied the sage , stroking the yellow head respectfully . `` What is a little mine ? '' `` It is something which makes your body move , as the spring made the wheels go in my watch when I showed it to you . '' `` Open me . I want to see it go wound . '' `` I ca n't do that any more than you could open the watch . God winds you up , and you go till He stops you . '' `` Does I ? '' and Demi 's brown eyes grew big and bright as he took in the new thought . `` Is I wounded up like the watch ? '' `` Yes , but I ca n't show you how , for it is done when we do n't see . '' Demi felt his back , as if expecting to find it like that of the watch , and then gravely remarked , `` I dess Dod does it when I 's asleep . '' A careful explanation followed , to which he listened so attentively that his anxious grandmother said , `` My dear , do you think it wise to talk about such things to that baby ? He 's getting great bumps over his eyes , and learning to ask the most unanswerable questions . '' `` If he is old enough to ask the question he is old enough to receive true answers . I am not putting the thoughts into his head , but helping him unfold those already there . These children are wiser than we are , and I have no doubt the boy understands every word I have said to him . Now , Demi , tell me where you keep your mind . '' If the boy had replied like Alcibiades , `` By the gods , Socrates , I can not tell , '' his grandfather would not have been surprised , but when , after standing a moment on one leg , like a meditative young stork , he answered , in a tone of calm conviction , `` In my little belly , '' the old gentleman could only join in Grandma 's laugh , and dismiss the class in metaphysics .
There might have been cause for maternal anxiety , if Demi had not given convincing proofs that he was a true boy , as well as a budding XXXXX , for often , after a discussion which caused Hannah to prophesy , with ominous nods , `` That child ai n't long for this world , '' he would turn about and set her fears at rest by some of the pranks with which dear , dirty , naughty little rascals distract and delight their parent 's souls .
answers belly children explanation gentleman leg philosopher things thoughts word