A VERY ILL-TEMPERED FAMILY.

I. A Family Failing

II.  Ill-Tempered People and Their Friends—­Narrow
Escapes—­The Hatchet-Quarrel

III.  Warnings—­My Aunt Isobel—­Mr. Rampant’s
Temper, and His Conscience

IV.  Cases of Conscience—­Ethics of Ill-Temper

V. Celestial Fire—­I Choose a Text

VI.  Theatrical Properties—­I Prepare a Play—­Philip
Begins to Prepare the Scenery—­A
New Friend

VII.  A Quarrel—­Bobby is Willing—­Exit Philip

VIII.  I Hear from Philip—­A New Part Wanted—­I
Lose My Temper—­We All Lose Our
Tempers

IX.  Self-Reproach—­Family Discomfort—­Out on
the Marsh—­Victory

* * * * *

OUR FIELD

* * * * *

Madam liberality.

PART I

PART II

A GREAT EMERGENCY.

CHAPTER I.

Rupert’s lectures—­the old yellow leather book.

We were very happy—­I, Rupert, Henrietta, and Baby Cecil.  The only thing we found fault with in our lives was that there were so few events in them.

It was particularly provoking, because we were so well prepared for events—­any events.  Rupert prepared us.  He had found a fat old book in the garret, bound in yellow leather, at the end of which were “Directions how to act with presence of mind in any emergency;” and he gave lectures out of this in the kitchen garden.

Rupert was twelve years old.  He was the eldest.  Then came Henrietta, then I, and last of all Baby Cecil, who was only four.  The day I was nine years old, Rupert came into the nursery, holding up his handsome head with the dignified air which became him so well, that I had more than once tried to put it on myself before the nursery looking-glass, and said to me, “You are quite old enough now, Charlie, to learn what to do whatever happens; so every half-holiday, when I am not playing cricket, I’ll teach you presence of mind near the cucumber frame, if you’re punctual.  I’ve put up a bench.”

I thanked him warmly, and the next day he put his head into the nursery at three o’clock in the afternoon, and said—­“The lecture.”

I jumped up, and so did Henrietta.

“It’s not for girls,” said Rupert; “women are not expected to do things when there’s danger.”

“We take care of them” said I, wondering if my mouth looked like Rupert’s when I spoke, and whether my manner impressed Henrietta as much as his impressed me.  She sat down again and only said, “I stayed in all Friday afternoon, and worked in bed on Saturday morning to finish your net.”