entirely new to any one of the students, so that the raw material for
thought was present in abundance and even very close at hand.

_(3) Reasons for such neglect._

Why, then, did they so neglect their past? Above all, why should two
minutes of reflection on the subject mark their limit? For, having
given to themselves the signal tor all stray ideas on the baking of
sweet potatoes to assemble, their manner indicated no hope of further
returns after the expiration of that brief period. A partial answer is
that they did not know where to look for ideas. But an additional
answer is that they did not know _how_ to look to their past, and
they accordingly lacked confidence. Indeed, they knew that they could
not think, so what was the use of wasting more than two minutes for
the sake of appearances?

It does require some knowledge and confidence to think out a subject
in view of one's experience. When we are somewhat familiar with a
subject, some ideas in regard to it may come very readily, so that the
first few minutes of reflection may be easily spent and fairly
rewarded. But the ability really to think is tested after this period.
Then we must know how to overhaul our past and must have faith that we
will get something from it. We must search our experience through and
through, viewing it from one point and then another in the keen
lookout for suggestions. And we must know that many of the best
thoughts, probably most of them, do not come, like a flash, fully into
being, but find their beginnings in dim feelings, in faint intuitions,
that need to be encouraged and coaxed before they can be surely felt
and defined.