But children led so easy a life , before any Troubles came into the world , that they had really a great deal too much leisure . They could not be forever playing at hide-and-seek among the flower-shrubs , or at blind-man 's - buff with garlands over their eyes , or at whatever other games had been found out , while Mother Earth was in her babyhood . When life is all sport , toil is the real play . There was absolutely nothing to do . A little sweeping and dusting about the cottage , I suppose , and the gathering of fresh flowers -LRB- which were only too abundant everywhere -RRB- , and arranging them in vases , -- and poor little Pandora 's day 's work was over . And then , for the rest of the day , there was the box ! After all , I am not quite sure that the box was not a blessing to her in its way . It supplied her with such a variety of ideas to think of , and to talk about , whenever she had anybody to listen ! When she was in good humor , she could admire the bright polish of its sides , and the rich border of beautiful faces and foliage that ran all around it . Or , if she chanced to be ill-tempered , she could give it a push , or kick it with her naughty little foot . And many a kick did the box -- -LRB- but it was a mischievous box , as we shall see , and deserved all it got -RRB- -- many a kick did it receive . But , certain it is , if it had not been for the box , our active-minded little Pandora would not have known half so well how to spend her time as she now did . For it was really an endless employment to guess what was inside . What could it be , indeed ? Just imagine , my little hearers , how busy your wits would be , if there were a great box in the house , which , as you might have reason to suppose , contained something new and pretty for your Christmas or New-Year 's gifts . Do you think that you should be less curious than Pandora ? If you were left alone with the box , might you not feel a little tempted to lift the lid ? But you would not do it . O , fie ! No , no !
Only , if you thought there were toys XXXXX it , it would be so very hard to let slip an opportunity of taking just one peep !
After If around as before for in than to with