In George Eliot's novel "The Mill on the Floss," the quote highlights the deep connection between a person's childhood experiences and their appreciation for the world around them. It suggests that the innocence and joy of childhood shape individuals' perspectives, allowing them to form a profound bond with nature and their surroundings. This sense of wonder developed during those formative years contributes to a lifelong love for the earth.

The sentiment expressed emphasizes the importance of childhood as a foundational period where a person's values, emotional connections, and love for the environment are cultivated. Without these early experiences, one's ability to cherish and understand the beauty of the earth may be diminished. Thus, childhood serves as a lens through which we perceive and appreciate the natural world throughout our lives.