Sheaddedthatanywishofhisofcoursewaslawtoher。
Hewasayoungandinexperiencedhusband；itseemedtohimahopefulopening。Hespokeofquitealotofthings——thingsaboutwhichhefeltthathewasrightandshewaswrong。Shewentandfetchedaquireofpaper，andborrowedhispencilandwrotethemdown。
Lateron，goingthroughhislettersinthestudy，hefoundanunexpectedcheque；andranupstairsandaskedherifshewouldnotliketocomeoutwithhimandgetherselfanewhat。
\"Icouldhaveunderstoodit，\"hemoaned，\"ifshehaddroppedonmewhileIwas——well，Isuppose，youmightsaylecturingher。Shehadlistenedtoitlikealamb——hadn’topenedhermouthexcepttosay’yes，dear，’or’no，dear。’Then，whenIonlyaskedherifshe’dlikeanewhat，shegoessuddenlyravingmad。Ineversawawomangosomad。\"
Idoubtiftherebeanythinginnaturequiteasunexpectedasawoman’stemper，unlessitbetumblingintoahole。ItoldallthistoDick。Ihavetoldithimbefore。Oneofthesedayshewillknowit。
\"Youarerighttobeangrywithme，\"Robinarepliedmeekly；\"thereisnoexcuseforme。Thewholethingistheresultofmyownfolly。\"
Herpathetichumilityshouldhaveappealedtohim。Hecanbesympathetic，whenheisn’thungry。Justthenhehappenedtobehungry。
\"Ileftyoumakingapie，\"hesaid。\"Itlookedtomeafair—sizedpie。Therewasaduckonthetable，withacauliflowerandpotatoes；
Veronicawasuptoherelbowsinpeas。Itmademehungrymerelypassingthroughthekitchen。Iwouldn’thaveanythingtoeatinthetownforfearofspoilingmyappetite。Whereisitall？Youdon’tmeantosaythatyouandVeronicahaveeatenthewholeblessedlot！\"
Thereisonething——sheadmitsitherself——thatexhaustsVeronica’spatience：itisunjustsuspicion。
\"DoIlookasifI’deatenanythingforhoursandhours？\"Veronicademanded。\"Youcanfeelmywaistbandifyoudon’tbelieveme。\"
\"Yousaidjustnowyouhadhadyourlunch，\"Dickargued。
\"IknowIdid，\"Veronicaadmitted。\"Oneminuteyouaretoldthatitiswickedtotelllies；thenext——\"
\"Veronica！\"Robinainterruptedthreateningly。
\"It’seasyforyou，\"retortedVeronica。\"Youarenotagrowingchild。Youdon’tfeelit。\"
\"Theleastyoucando，\"saidRobina，\"istokeepsilence。\"
\"What’sthegood，\"saidVeronica——notwithoutreason。\"You’lltellthemwhenI’vegonetobed，andcan’tputinawordformyself。
Everythingisalwaysmyfault。IwishsometimesthatIwasdead。\"
\"ThatIweredead，\"Icorrectedher。\"Theverb’towish，’implyinguncertainty，shouldalwaysbefollowedbytheconditionalmood。\"
\"Youought，\"saidRobina，\"tobethankfultoProvidencethatyou’renotdead。\"
\"Peoplearesorrywhenyou’redead，\"saidVeronica。
\"Isupposethere’ssomebread—and—cheeseinthehouse，\"suggestedDick。
\"Thebaker，forsomereasonoranother，hasnotcalledthismorning，\"
Robinaansweredsweetly。\"Neitherunfortunatelyhasthegrocer。
Everythingthereistoeatinthehouseyouseeuponthetable。\"
\"Accidentswillhappen，\"Isaid。\"Thephilosopher——asourfriendSt。
Leonardwouldtellus——onlysmiles。\"
\"Icouldsmile，\"saidDick，\"ifitwerehislunch。\"
\"Cultivate，\"Isaid，\"asenseofhumour。Fromahumorouspointofviewthislunchisrathergood。\"
\"DidyouhaveanythingtoeatattheSt。Leonards’？\"heasked。
\"Justaglassorsoofbeerandasandwichortwo，\"Iadmitted。
\"Theybroughtitouttouswhileweweretalkingintheyard。Totellthetruth，Iwasfeelingratherpeckish。\"
Dickmadenoanswer，butcontinuedtochewbacon—rind。NothingI
couldsayseemedtocheerhim。IthoughtIwouldtryreligion。
\"Adinnerofherbs——thesentimentappliesequallytolunch——andcontentmenttherewithisbetter，\"Isaid，\"thanastalledox。\"
\"Don’ttalkaboutoxen，\"heinterruptedfretfully。\"IfeelIcouldjusteatone——aplumpone。\"
ThereisamanIknow。Iconfessheirritatesme。Hisargumentisthatyoushouldalwaysrisefromamealfeelinghungry。AsIonceexplainedtohim，youcannotrisefromamealfeelinghungrywithoutsittingdowntoamealfeelinghungry；whichmeans，ofcourse，thatyouarealwayshungry。Heagreedwithme。Hesaidthatwastheidea——alwaysready。
\"Mostpeople，\"hesaid，\"risefromamealfeelingnomoreinterestintheirfood。Thatwasamentalattitudeinjurioustodigestion。Keepitalwaysinterested；thatwastheproperwaytotreatit。\"
\"By’it’youmean……？\"Isaid。
\"Ofcourse，\"heanswered；\"I’mtalkingaboutit。\"
\"NowImyself；\"heexplained——\"Irisefrombreakfastfeelingeagerformylunch。Igetupfrommylunchlookingforwardtomydinner。
Igotobedjustreadyformybreakfast。\"
Cheerfulexpectancy，hesaid，wasawonderfulaidtodigestion。\"I
callmyself；\"hesaid，\"acheerfulfeeder。\"
\"Youdon’tseemtome，\"Isaid，\"tobeanythingelse。Youtalklikeatadpole。Haven’tyouanyotherinterestinlife？Whatabouthome，andpatriotism，andShakespeare——allthosesortofthings？Whynotgiveitasquaremeal，andsilenceitforanhourortwo；leaveyourselffreetothinkofsomethingelse。\"
\"Howcanyouthinkofanything，\"heargued，\"whenyourstomach’soutoforder？\"
\"Howcanyouthinkofanything，\"Iargued，\"whenittakesyouallyourtimetokeepitinorder？Youarenotaman；youareanursetoyourownstomach。\"Weweregrowingexcited，bothofus，forgettingournaturalrefinement。\"Youdon’tgetevenyouroneafternoonaweek。Youarehealthyenough，Iadmitit。SoaretheconvictsatPortland。Theyneversufferfromindigestion。Iknewadoctoroncewhoprescribedforapatienttwoyears’penalservitudeastheonlythinglikelytodohimpermanentgood。Yourstomachwon’tletyousmoke。Itwon’tletyoudrink——notwhenyouarethirsty。ItallowsyouaglassofApentawaterattimeswhenyoudon’twantit，assumingtherecouldeverbeatimewhenyoudidwantit。Youaredeprivedofyournaturalvictuals，andmadetoliveuponpreparedfood，asthoughyouweresomesortofaprizechicken。Youaresenttobedateleven，anddressedinhygienicclothingthatmakesnopretencetofityou。Talkofbeinghen—pecked！Why，themildesthusbandlivingwouldrunawayordrownhimself，ratherthanremaintiedfortherestofhisexistencetoyourstomach。\"
\"Itiseasytosneer，\"hesaid。
\"Iamnotsneering，\"Isaid；\"Iamsympathisingwithyou。\"
Hesaidhedidnotwantanysympathy。HesaidifonlyIwouldgiveupover—eatinganddrinkingmyself，itwouldsurprisemehowbrightandintelligentIshouldbecome。
Ithoughtthismanmightbeofusetousonthepresentoccasion。
AccordinglyIspokeofhimandofhistheory。Dickseemedimpressed。
\"Nicesortofman？\"heasked。
\"Anearnestman，\"Ireplied。\"Hepractiseswhathepreaches，andwhetherbecause，orinspiteofit，thefactremainsthatachirpiersoulIamsuredoesnotexist。\"
\"Married？\"demandedDick。
\"Asingleman，\"Ianswered。\"Inallthingsanidealist。Hehastoldmehewillnevermarryuntilhecanfindhisidealwoman。\"
\"WhataboutRobinahere！\"suggestedDick。\"Seemtohavebeenmadeforoneanother。\"
Robinasmiled。Itwasawan，patheticsmile。
\"Evenhe，\"thoughtRobina，\"wouldwanthisbeanscookedtotime，andtofeelthatareasonablesupplyofnutswasalwaysinthehouse。Weincompetentwomenneveroughttomarry。\"
Wehadfinishedthebacon。Dicksaidhewouldtakeastrollintothetown。RobinasuggestedhemighttakeVeronicawithhim，thatperhapsabunandaglassofmilkwoulddothechildnoharm。
Veronicaforawonderseemedtoknowwhereallherthingswere。
BeforeDickhadfilledhispipeshewasreadydressedandwaitingforhim。Robinasaidshewouldgivethemalistofthingstheymightbringbackwiththem。ShealsoaskedDicktogettogetheraplumber，acarpenter，abricklayer，aglazier，andacivilengineer，andtoseetoitthattheystartedoffatonce。Shethoughtthatamongthemtheymightbeabletodoallthatwastemporarilynecessary，butthegreatthingwasthattheworkshouldbecommencedwithoutdelay。
\"Why，whatonearth’sthematter，oldgirl？\"askedDick。\"Haveyouhadanaccident？\"
ThenitwasthatRobinaexploded。Ihadbeenwonderingwhenitwouldhappen。ToDick’sastonishmentithappenedthen。
Yes，sheanswered，therehadbeenanaccident。Didhesupposethatsevenscrimpyscrapsofbaconwashernotionofalunchbetweenfourhungrypersons？Didhe，judgingfromhimself，imaginethatourfamilyyieldedonlylunatics？Wasitkind——wasitcourteoustohisparents，tothemotherhepretendedtolove，tothefatherwhosegreyhairshewasbyhisgeneralbehaviourbringingdowninsorrowtothegrave——toassumewithoutfurtherenquirythattheireldestdaughterwasanimbecile？（Myhair，by—the—bye，isnotgrey。Theremaybeasuggestionofgreynesshereandthere，thenaturalresultofdeepthinking。Todescribeitinthelumpasgreyistoshowlackofobservation。Andatforty—eight——oratrifleover——oneisnotgoingdownintothegrave，notstraightdown。Robinawhenexcitedusesexaggeratedlanguage。Ididnot，however，interrupther；shemeantwell。Addedtowhich，interruptingRobina，when——touseherownexpression——sheistiredofbeingaworm，isliketryingtostopacyclonewithanumbrella。）Hadhisattentionbeenlessconcentratedontheguzzlingofcoldbacon（hehadonlyhadfourmouthfuls，poorfellow）——hadhenoticedthesweetpatientchildstarvingbeforehisveryeyes（thisreferredtoVeronica）——hispooreldersister，wornoutwithworkandworry，piningfornourishmentherself，itmighthaveoccurredtoevenhisintelligencethattherehadbeenanaccident。Theselfishness，theegotismofmenitwasthatstaggered，overwhelmedRobina，whenshecametothinkofit。
Robinapaused。Notforwantofmaterial，Ijudged，somuchaswantofbreath。Veronicaperformedausefulservicebyseizingthemomenttoexpressahopethatitwasnotearly—closingday。Robinafeltaconvictionthatitwas：itwouldbejustlikeDicktostandtheredawdlinginacornertillitwastoolatetodoanything。
\"Ihavebeentryingtogetoutofthiscornerforthelastfiveminutes，\"explainedDick，withthatangelicsmileofhisthatI
confessisirritating。\"Ifyouhavedonetalking，andwillgivemeanopening，Iwillgo。\"
Robinatoldhimthatshehaddonetalking。Shegavehimherreasonsforhavingdonetalking。Iftalkingtohimwouldbeofanyuseshewouldoftenhavefeltitherdutytotalktohim，notonlywithregardtohisstupidityandselfishnessandgeneralaggravatingness，butwithreferencetohischaracterasawhole。Herexcusefornottalkingtohimwasthecrushingconvictionofthehopelessnessofevereffectinganyimprovementinhim。Wereitotherwise—
\"Seriouslyspeaking，\"saidDick，nowescapedfromhiscorner，\"something，Itakeit，hasgonewrongwiththestove，andyouwantasortofgeneralsmith。\"
Heopenedthekitchendoorandlookedin。
\"GreatScott！\"hesaid。\"Whatwasit——anearthquake？\"
Ilookedinoverhisshoulder。
\"Butitcouldnothavebeenanearthquake，\"Isaid。\"Weshouldhavefeltit。\"
\"Itisnotanearthquake，\"explainedRobina。\"Itisyouryoungestdaughter’snotionofmakingherselfuseful。\"
Robinaspokeseverely。IfeltforthemomentasifIhaddoneitallmyself。Ihadanunclewhousedtotalklikethat。\"Youraunt，\"hewouldsay，regardingmewithareproachfuleye，\"yourauntcanbe，whenshelikes，themosttryingwomantolivewithIhaveeverknown。\"Itwoulddepressmefordays。IwouldwonderwhetherI
oughttospeaktoheraboutit，orwhetherIshouldbedoingonlyharm。
\"Buthowdidshedoit？\"Idemanded。\"Itisimpossiblethatamerechild——whereisthechild？\"
TheparlourcontainedbutRobina。Ihurriedtothedoor；Dickwasalreadyhalfacrossthefield。VeronicaIcouldnotsee。
\"Wearemakinghaste，\"Dickshoutedback，\"incaseitisearly—
closingday。\"
\"IwantVeronica！\"Ishouted。
\"What？\"shoutedDick。
\"Veronica！\"Ishoutedwithmyhandstomymouth。
\"Yes！\"shoutedDick。\"She’sonahead。\"
Itwasuselessscreaminganymore。Hewasnowclimbingthestile。
\"Theyalwaystakeeachother’spart，thosetwo，\"sighedRobina。
\"Yes，andyouarejustasbad，\"Itoldher；\"ifhedoesn’t，youdo。
Andthenifit’syoutheytakeyourpart。Andyoutakehispart。
Andhetakesbothyourparts。AndbetweenyouallIamjustgettingtiredofbringinganyofyouup。\"（Whichisthetruth。）\"Howdidthisthinghappen？\"
\"Ihadgoteverythingfinished，\"answeredRobina。\"Theduckwasintheovenwiththepie；thepeasandpotatoeswereboilingnicely。I
wasfeelinghot，andIthoughtIcouldtrustVeronicatowatchthethingsforawhile。ShepromisednottoplayKingAlfred。\"
\"What’sthat？\"Iasked。
\"Youknow，\"saidRobina——\"KingAlfredandthecakes。Ileftheroneafternoonlastyearwhenwewereonthehouseboattowatchsomebuns。
WhenIcamebackshewassittinginfrontofthefire，wrappedupinthetable—cloth，withDick’sbanjoonherkneesandacardboardcrownuponherhead。Thebunswereallburnttoacinder。AsItoldher，ifIhadknownwhatshewantedtobeuptoIcouldhavegivenhersomeextrabitsofdoughtomakebelievewith。Butoh，no！ifyouplease，thatwouldnothavesuitedheratall。Itwastheirbeingrealbuns，andmybeingrealmad，thatwasthebestpartofthegame。
Sheisanuncannychild。\"
\"Whatwasthegamethistime？\"Iasked。
\"Idon’tthinkitwasintendedforagame——notatfirst，\"answeredRobina。\"Iwentintothewoodtopicksomeflowersforthetable。I
wasonmywayback，stillatsomedistancefromthehouse，whenI
heardquitealoudreport。Itookitforagun，andwonderedwhatanyonewouldbeshootinginJuly。Itmustberabbits，Ithought。
Rabbitsneverseemtohaveanytimeatalltothemselves，poorthings。AndinconsequenceIdidnothurrymyself。ItmusthavebeenabouttwentyminuteslaterwhenIcameinsightofthehouse。
Veronicawasinthegardendeepinconfabulationwithanawful—
lookingboy，dressedinnothingbutrags。Hisfaceandhandswerealmostblack。Youneversawsuchanobject。Theybothseemedveryexcited。Veronicacametomeetme；andwithafaceasseriousasmineisnow，stoodthereandtoldmethemostbarefacedpackofliesyoueverheard。ShesaidthatafewminutesafterIhadgone，robbershadcomeoutofthewood——shetalkedaboutthemasthoughtherehadbeenhundreds——andhadwiththemostawfulthreatsdemandedtobeadmittedintothehouse。Whytheyhadnotliftedthelatchandwalkedin，shedidnotexplain。Itappearedthiscottagewastheirsecretrendezvous，wherealltheirtreasurelieshidden。Veronicawouldnotletthemin，butshoutedforhelp：andimmediatelythisawful—lookingboy，towhomsheintroducedmeas’SirRobert’
somethingoranother，hadappeareduponthescene；andthentherehadfollowed——well，Ihavenotthepatiencetotellyouthewholeoftherigmaroletheyhadconcocted。Theupshotofitwasthattherobbers，defeatedintheirattempttogetintothehouse，hadfiredasecretmine，whichhadexplodedinthekitchen。IfIdidnotbelievethemI
couldgointothekitchenandseeformyself。SaywhatIwould，thatisthestorytheybothstuckto。ItwasnottillIhadtalkedtoVeronicaforaquarterofanhour，andhadtoldherthatyouwouldmostcertainlycommunicatewiththepolice，andthatshewouldhavetoconvinceajudgeandjuryofthetruthofherstory，thatIgotanysenseatalloutofher。\"
\"Whatwasthesenseyoudidgetoutofher？\"Iasked。
\"Well，Iamnotsureevennowthatitisthetruth，\"saidRobina——
\"thechilddoesnotseemtopossessaproperconscience。Whatshewillgrowuplike，ifsomethingdoesnothappentochangeher，itisawfultothink。\"
\"Idon’twanttoappearahustler，\"Isaid，\"andmaybeIammistakenintheactualtime，butitfeelstomelikehourssinceIaskedyouhowthecatastrophereallyoccurred。\"
\"Iamtellingyou，\"explainedRobina，hurt。\"ShewasinthekitchenyesterdaywhenImentionedtoHarry’smother，whohadlookedintohelpmewashup，thatthekitchenchimneysmoked：andthenshesaid—
—\"
\"Whosaid？\"Iasked。
\"Why，shedid，\"answeredRobina，\"Harry’smother。Shesaidthatveryoftenapennyworthofgunpowder——\"
\"Nowatlastwehavebegun，\"Isaid。\"FromthispointImaybeabletohelpyou，andwewillgeton。Attheword’gunpowder’Veronicaprickedupherears。ThethingbyitsverynaturewouldappealtoVeronica’ssympathies。Shewenttobeddreamingofgunpowder。Leftinsolitudebeforethekitchenfire，othermaidensmighthaveseenpicturedintheglowingcoals，princes，carriages，andballs。
Veronicasawvisionsofgunpowder。Whoknows？——perhapsevensheonedaywillhavegunpowderofherown！Shelooksupfromherreverie：
afairygodmammainthedisguiseofasmallboy——itwasasmallboy，wasitnot？\"
\"Ratheranicelittleboy，hegavemetheideaofhavingbeen，originally，\"answeredRobina；\"thechild，Ishouldsay，ofwell—to—doparents。HewasdressedinalittleLordFauntleroysuit——orrather，hehadbeen。\"
\"DidVeronicaknowhowhewas——anythingabouthim？\"Iasked。
\"NothingthatIcouldgetoutofher，\"repliedRobina；\"youknowherway——howshechumsonwithanybodyandeverybody。AsItoldher，ifshehadbeenattendingtoherdutiesinsteadofstaringoutofthewindow，shewouldnothaveseenhim。Hehappenedtobecrossingthefieldjustatthetime。\"
\"Aboyborntoill—luck，evidently，\"Iobserved。\"ToVeronicaofcourseheseemedliketheanswertoaprayer。Aboywouldsurelyknowwheregunpowdercouldbeculled。\"
\"Theymusthavegotapoundofitfromsomewhere，\"saidRobina，\"judgingfromtheresult。\"
\"Anynotionwheretheygotitfrom？\"Iasked。
\"No，\"explainedRobina。\"AllVeronicacansayisthathetoldherheknewwherehecouldgetsome，andwasgoneabouttenminutes。Ofcoursetheymusthavestolenit——eventhatdidnotseemtotroubleher。\"
\"Itcametoherasagiftfromthegods，Robina，\"Iexplained。\"I
rememberhowImyselfusedtofeelaboutthesethings，atten。Tohaveenquiredfurtherwouldhaveseemedtoherimpious。Howwasittheywerenotbothkilled？\"
\"Providence，\"wasRobina’ssuggestion：itseemedtobetheonlyonepossible。\"Theyliftedoffoneofthesaucepansandjustdroppedthethingin——fortunatelywrappedupinabrownpaperparcel，whichgavethembothtimetogetoutofthehouse。AtleastVeronicagotclearoff。Forachangeitwasnotshewhofelloverthemat，itwastheboy。\"
Ilookedagainintothekitchen；thenIreturnedandputmyhandsonRobina’sshoulders。\"Itisamostamusingincident——asithasturnedout，\"Isaid。
\"Itmighthaveturnedoutratherseriously，\"thoughtRobina。
\"Itmight，\"Iagreed：\"shemightbelyingupstairs。\"
\"Sheisawicked，heartlesschild，\"saidRobina；\"sheoughttobepunished。\"
IlentRobinamyhandkerchief；sheneverhasoneofherown。
\"Sheisgoingtobepunished，\"Isaid；\"Iwillthinkofsomething。\"
\"AndsooughtI，\"saidRobina；\"itwasmyfault，leavingher，knowingwhatshe’slike。Imighthavemurderedher。Shedoesn’tcare。
She’sstuffingherselfwithcakesatthisverymoment。\"
\"Theywillprobablygiveherindigestion，\"Isaid。\"Ihopetheydo。\"
\"Whydidn’tyouhavebetterchildren？\"sobbedRobina；\"wearenoneofusanygoodtoyou。\"
\"YouarenotthechildrenIwanted，Iconfess，\"Ianswered。
\"That’sanicekindthingtosay！\"retortedRobinaindignantly。
\"Iwantedsuchcharmingchildren，\"Iexplained——\"myideaofcharmingchildren：thechildrenIhadimaginedformyself。Evenasbabiesyoudisappointedme。\"
Robinalookedastonished。
\"You，Robina，werethemostdisappointing，\"Icomplained。\"Dickwasaboy。Onedoesnotcalculateuponboyangels；andbythetimeVeronicaarrivedIhadgotmoreusedtothings。ButIwassoexcitedwhenyoucame。TheLittleMotherandIwouldstealatnightintothenursery。’Isn’titwonderful，’theLittleMotherwouldwhisper，’tothinkitalllieshiddenthere：thelittletiresomechild，thesweethearttheywillonedaytakeawayfromus，thewife，themother？’’Iamgladitisagirl，’Iwouldwhisper；’Ishallbeabletowatchhergrowintowomanhood。Mostofthegirlsonecomesacrossinbooksstrikeoneasnotperhapsquitetruetolife。Itwillgivemesuchanadvantagehavingagirlofmyown。Ishallkeepanote—
book，withalockandkey，devotedtoher。’\"
\"Didyou？\"askedRobina。
\"Iputitaway，\"Ianswered；\"therewerebutafewpageswrittenon。
Itcametomequiteearlyinyourlifethatyouwerenotgoingtobethemodelheroine。Iwaslookingforthepicturebaby，theclean，thoughtfulbaby，withitsmagical，mysticalsmile。Iwrotepoetryaboutyou，Robina，butyouwouldslobberandhowl。Yourlittlenosewasalwayshavingtobewiped，andsomehowthepoetrydidnotseemtofityou。Youwereatyourbestwhenyouwereasleep，butyouwouldnotevensleepwhenitwasexpectedofyou。Ithink，Robina，thatthefellowswhodrawthepicturesforthecomicjournalsofthemaninhisnight—shirtwiththesquallingbabyinhisarmsmustallbesinglemen。Themarriedmanseesonlysadnessinthedesign。Itisnotthemerediscomfort。Ifthelittlecreaturewereillorinpainweshouldnotthinkofthat。Itisthereflectionthatwe，whomeantsowell，havebroughtintotheworldjustanordinaryfretfulhumancreaturewithanastytemperofitsown：thatisthetragedy，Robina。Andthenyougrewintoalittlegirl。Iwantedthesoulfullittlegirlwiththefathomlesseyes，whowouldstealtomeattwilightandquestionmeconcerninglife’sconundrums。
\"ButIusedtoaskyouquestions，\"grumbledRobina，\"andyouwouldtellmenottobesilly。\"
\"Don’tyouunderstand，Robina？\"Ianswered。\"Iamnotblamingyou，I
amblamingmyself。Wearelikechildrenwhoplantseedsinagarden，andthenareangrywiththeflowersbecausetheyarenotwhatweexpected。Youwereadearlittlegirl；Iseethatnow，lookingback。
ButnotthelittlegirlIhadinmymind。SoImissedyou，thinkingofthelittlegirlyouwerenot。Wedothatallourlives，Robina。
Wearealwayslookingfortheflowersthatdonotgrow，passingby，tramplingunderfoot，theblossomsroundaboutus。ItwasthesamewithDick。Iwantedanaughtyboy。Well，Dickwasnaughty，noonecansaythathewasnot。Butitwasnotmynaughtiness。Iwaspreparedforhisrobbingorchards。Iratherhopedhewouldroborchards。Allthehigh—spiritedboysinbooksroborchards，andbecomegreatmen。Buttherewerenotanyorchardshandy。WehappenedtobelivinginChelseaatthetimeheoughttohavebeenrobbingorchards：that，ofcourse，wasmyfault。Ididnotthinkofthat。Hestoleabicyclethataladyhadleftoutsidethetea—roominBatterseaPark，heandanotherboy，thesonofacommonbarber，whoshavedpeopleforthree—halfpence。IamaRepublicanintheory，butitgrievedmethatasonofminecouldbedrawntosuchcompanionship。Theycontrivedtokeepitforaweek——tillthepolicefounditonenight，artfullyhiddenbehindbushes。Logically，Idonotseewhystealingapplesshouldbenobleandstealingbicyclesshouldbemean，butitstruckmethatwayatthetime。ItwasnottheparticularstealIhadbeenhopingfor。
\"Iwantedhimwild；theheroofthebookwaseverinhiscollegedaysawildyoungman。Well，hewaswild。ItcostmethreehundredpoundstokeepthatbreachofpromisecaseoutofCourt；Ihadneverimaginedabreachofpromisecase。Thenhegotdrunk，andbonnetedabishopinmistakefora’bull—dog。’Ididn’tmindthebishop。Thatbyitselfwouldhavebeenwholesomefun。Buttothinkthatasonofmineshouldhavebeendrunk！\"
\"Hehasneverbeendrunksince，\"pleadedRobina。\"Hehadonlythreeglassesofchampagneandaliqueur：itwastheliqueur——hewasnotusedtoit。Hegotintothewrongset。Youcannotincollegebelongtothewildsetwithoutgettingdrunkoccasionally。\"
\"Perhapsnot，\"Iadmitted。\"Inthebookthewildyoungmandrinkswithoutevergettingdrunk。Maybethereisadifferencebetweenlifeandthebook。Inthebookyouenjoyyourfun，butcontrivesomehowtoescapethelicking：inlifethelickingistheonlythingsure。
ItwasthewildyoungmanoffictionIwaslookingfor，who，afortnightbeforetheexam。，tiesawettowelroundhishead，drinksstrongtea，andpasseseasilywithhonours。Hetriedthewettowel，hetellsme。Itneverwouldkeepinitsplace。Addedtowhichitgavehimneuralgia；whilethestrongteagavehimindigestion。I
usedtopicturemyselftheproud，indulgentfatherlecturinghimforhiswildness——turningawayatsomepointinthemiddleofmytiradetohideasmile。Therewasneveranysmiletohide。Ifeelthathehasbehaveddisgracefully，wastinghistimeandmymoney。\"
\"Heisgoingtoturnoveranewleaf；\"saidRobina：\"Iamsurehewillmakeanexcellentfarmer。\"
\"Ididnotwantafarmer，\"Iexplained；\"IwantedaPrimeMinister。
Children，Robina，areverydisappointing。Veronicaisallwrong。I
likeamischievouschild。Ilikereadingstoriesofmischievouschildren：theyamuseme。Butnotthechildwhoputsapoundofgunpowderintoared—hotfire，andescapeswithherlifebyamiracle。\"
\"Andyet，Idaresay，\"suggestedRobina，\"thatifoneputitintoabook——Imeanthatifyouputitintoabook，itwouldreadamusingly。\"
\"Likelyenough，\"Iagreed。\"Otherpeople’stroublescanalwaysbeamusing。Asitis，Ishallbeinastateofanxietyforthenextsixmonths，wondering，everymomentthatsheisoutofmysight，whatnewdevilmentsheisupto。TheLittleMotherwillbeworriedoutofherlife，unlesswecankeepitfromher。\"
\"Childrenwillbechildren，\"murmuredRobina，meaningtobecomforting。
\"ThatiswhatIamcomplainingof，Robina。Wearealwayshopingthatourswon’tbe。Sheisfulloffaults，Veronica，andtheyarenotalwaysnicefaults。Sheislazy——lazyisnotthewordforit。\"
\"Sheislazy，\"Robinawascompelledtoadmit。
\"Thereareotherfaultsshemighthavehadandwelcome，\"Ipointedout；\"faultsIcouldhavetakenaninterestinandlikedherallthebetterfor。Youchildrenaresoobstinate。Youwillchooseyourownfaults。Veronicaisnottruthfulalways。IwantedafamilyoflittleGeorgeWashingtons，whocouldnottellalie。Veronicacan。
Togetherselfoutoftrouble——andprovidedthereisanyhopeofanybodybelievingher——shedoes。\"
\"Weallofususedtowhenwewereyoung，\"Robinamaintained；\"Dickusedto，Iusedto。Itisacommonfaultwithchildren。\"
\"Iknowitis，\"Ianswered。\"Ididnotwantachildwithcommonfaults。Iwantedsomethingallmyown。Iwantedyou，Robina，tobemyidealdaughter。IhadagirlinmymindthatIamsurewouldhavebeencharming。Youarenotabitlikeher。Idon’tsayshewasperfect，shehadherfailings，buttheyweresuchdelightfulfailings——muchbetterthanyours，Robina。Shehadatemper——awomanwithoutatemperisinsipid；butitwasthatkindoftemperthatmadeyouloveherallthemore。Yoursdoesn’t，Robina。Iwishyouhadnotbeeninsuchahurry，andhadleftmetoarrangeyourtemperforyou。Weshouldallofushavepreferredmine。Ithadalltheattractionsoftemperwithoutthedrawbacksoftheordinarytemper。\"
\"Couldn’tuseitup，Isuppose，foryourself，Pa？\"suggestedRobina。
\"Itwasalady’stemper，\"Iexplained。\"Besides，\"asIaskedher，\"whatiswrongwiththeoneIhave？\"
\"Nothing，\"answeredRobina。Yethertoneconveyeddoubt。\"Itseemstomesometimesthatanoldertemperwouldsuityoubetter，thatwasall。\"
\"Youhavehintedasmuchbefore，Robina，\"Iremarked，\"notonlywithreferencetomytemper，butwithreferencetothingsgenerally。OnewouldthinkthatyouweredissatisfiedwithmebecauseIamtooyoung。\"
\"Notinyearsperhaps，\"repliedRobina，\"but——well，youknowwhatI
mean。Onewantsone’sfathertobealwaysgreatanddignified。\"
\"Wecannotchangeourego，\"Iexplainedtoher。\"Somedaughterswouldappreciateafatheryouthfulenoughintemperamenttosympathisewithandtoindulgethem。Thesolemnoldfogeyyouhaveinyourmindwouldhavebroughtyouupverydifferently。Letmetellyouthat，mygirl。Youwouldnothavelikedhim，ifyouhadhadhim。\"
\"Perhapsnot，\"Robinaagreed。\"Youareawfullygoodinsomeways。\"
\"Whatwehavegottodointhisworld，Robina，\"Isaid，\"istotakepeopleastheyare，andmakethebestofthem。Wecannotexpecteverybodytobejustaswewouldhavethem，andmaybeweshouldnotlikethemanybetteriftheywere。Don’tbotheryourselfabouthowmuchnicertheymightbe；thinkhownicetheyare。\"
Robinasaidshewouldtry。IhavehopesofmakingRobinaasensiblewoman。
CHAPTERVII
DickandVeronicareturnedladenwithparcels。Theyexplainedthat\"DaddySlee，\"asitappearedhewasgenerallycalled，alocalbuilderofrenown，wasfollowinginhispony—cart，andwaskindlybringingthebulkierthingswithhim。
\"Itriedtohustlehim，\"saidDick，\"butcomingupafterhehadwashedhimselfandhadhisteaseemedtobehisideaofhustling。HehasgotthereputationofbeinganhonestoldJohnny，slowbutsure；
theothers，theytellme，areslower。Ithoughtyoumightcare，lateron，totalktohimaboutthehouse。\"
Veronicatookoffherthingsandputthemaway，eachoneinitsproperplace。Shesaid，ifnoonewantedher，shewouldreadachapterof\"TheVicarofWakefield，\"andretiredupstairs。RobinaandIhadaneggwithourtea；Mr。Sleearrivedaswehadfinished，andItookhimstraightintothekitchen。Hewasalargeman，withadreamyexpressionandahabitofsighing。Hesighedwhenhesawourkitchen。
\"There’sfourdays’workforthreemenhere，\"hesaid，\"andyou’llwantanewstove。Lord！whattroublechildrencanbe！\"
Robinaagreedwithhim。
\"Meanwhile，\"shedemanded，\"howamItocook？\"
\"Myself，missie，\"sighedMr。Slee，\"Idon’tseehowyouaregoingtocook。\"
\"We’llallhavetotramphomeagain，\"thoughtDick。
\"AndtellLittleMotherthereason，andfrightenheroutofherlife！\"retortedRobinaindignantly。
Robinahadotherideas。Mr。Sleedeparted，promisingthatworkshouldbecommencedatseveno’clockonMondaymorning。Robina，thedoorclosed，begantotalk。
\"LetPahaveasandwich，\"saidRobina，\"andcatchthesix—fifteen。\"
\"Wemightallhaveasandwich，\"suggestedDick；\"Icoulddowithonemyself。\"
\"Pacanexplain，\"saidRobina，\"thathehasbeencalledbacktotownonbusiness。Thatwillaccountforeverything，andLittleMotherwillnotbealarmed。\"
\"Shewon’tbelievethatbusinesshasbroughthimbackatnineo’clockonaSaturdaynight，\"arguedDick；\"youthinkthatLittleMotherhasn’tanysense。She’llseethere’ssomethingup，andaskahundredquestions。Youknowwhatsheis。\"
\"Pa，\"saidRobina，\"willhavetimewhileinthetraintothinkoutsomethingplausible；that’swherePaisclever。WithPaoffmyhandsIsha’n’tmind。Wethreecanliveoncoldhamandthingslikethat。
ByThursdaywewillbeallright，andthenhecancomedownagain。\"
IpointedouttoRobina，kindlybutfirmly，theutterabsurdityofheridea。HowcouldIleavethem，threehelplesschildren，withnoonetolookafterthem？WhatwouldtheLittleMothersay？WhatmightnotVeronicabeuptoinmyabsence？Therewereotherthingstobeconsidered。Thedonkeymightarriveatanymoment——noresponsiblepersontheretoreceivehim——toseetoitthathissimplewantswouldbeprovidedfor。IshouldhavetointerviewMr。St。
LeonardagaintofixupfinaldetailsasregardedDick。Whowasgoingtolookafterthecow，abouttobeseparatedfromus？YoungButewouldbedownagainwithplans。Whowasgoingtotakehimoverthehouse，explainthingstohimintelligibly？Thenewboymightturnup——thissimplesonofthesoilMissJaniehadpromisedtodigoutandsendalong。HewouldtalkBerkshire。Whowouldtherebetounderstandhim——toreplytohimindialect？Whatwastheuseofherbeingimpetuousandtalkingnonsense？
Shewentoncuttingsandwiches。Shesaidtheywerenothelplesschildren。ShesaidifsheandDickatforty—twohadn’tgritenoughtorunasix—roomedcottageitwastimetheylearned。
\"Who’sforty—two？\"Idemanded。
\"Weare，\"explainedRobina，\"DickandI——betweenus。Weshallbeforty—twonextbirthday。Nearlyyourownage。\"
\"Veronica，\"shecontinued，\"forthenextfewdayswon’tbeachildatall。Sheknowsnothingofthehappymedium。Sheiseitherherselforshegoestotheoppositeextreme，andtriestobeanangel。Tillabouttheendoftheweekitwillbelikelivingwithavision。Asforthedonkey，we’lltryandmakehimfeelasmuchathomeasifyouwerehere。\"
\"Idon’tmeantoberude，Pa，\"Robinaexplained，\"butfromthewayyouputityouevidentlyregardyourselfastheonlyoneamonguscapableofinterestinghim。Itakeithewon’tmindforanightortwosharingtheshedwiththecow。Ifhelooksshockedatthesuggestion，Dickcanknockupapartition。I’dratherforthepresent，tillyoucomedownagain，thecowstoppedwhereshewas。
Shehelpstowakemeinthemorning。YoumayreckonyouhavesettledeverythingasfarasDickisconcerned。IfyoutalktoSt。LeonardagainforanhouritwillbeaboutthefutureoftheYellowRacesorthepossibilityoflifeinJupiter。Ifyoumentiontermshewillbeinsulted，andifhewon’tletyouthenyouwillbeinsulted，andthewholethingwillbeoff。LetmetalktoJanie。We’vebothofusgotsense。AsforMr。Bute，Iknowallyourideasaboutthehouse，andI
sha’n’tlistentoanyofhissillyarguments。Whatthatyoungmanwantsissomeonetotellhimwhathe’sgottodo，andthenlettherebeanendofit。Andthesoonerthathandyboyturnsupthebetter。
Idon’tmindwhathetalks。AllIwanthimtodoistocleanknivesandfetchwaterandchopwood。AttheworstI’llgetthathometohimbypantomime。Forconversationhecanwaittillyoucomedown。\"
Thatisthegistofwhatshesaid。Itdidn’trunexactlyasIhaveputitdown。TherewerepointsatwhichIinterrupted，butRobinaneverlistens；shejusttalkson，andattheendsheassumesthat，asamatterofcourse，youhavecomeroundtoherpointofview，andpersuadingherthatyouhaven’tmeansbeginningthewholethingoveragain。
ShesaidIhadn’ttimetotalk，andthatshewouldwriteandtellmeeverything。Dickalsosaidhewouldwriteandtellmeeverything；
andthatifIfeltmovedtosendthemdownahamper——thesortofthingthat，lefttothemselves，Fortnum&Masonwouldputtogetherforagood—classpicnic，say，forsixpersons——Imightrelyuponitthatnothingwouldbewasted。
Veronica，bymydesire，walkedwithmetotheendofthelane。I
talkedtoherveryseriously。Herdifficultywasthatshehadnotbeenblownup。Hadshebeenblownup，thenshewouldhaveknownherselfshehaddonewrong。Inthebookitisthedisobedientchildthatistossedbythebull。Thechildthathasbeensentwiththelittlebaskettovisitthesickauntmayberightinthebull’sway。
Thatisabitofbadluckforthebull。Thepoorbulliscompelledtowastevaluabletimeworkingroundcarefully，soasnottoupsetthebasket。Ifthewickedchildhadsense（whichinthebookdoesnothappen），itwould，whilethebullwasdodgingtogetpastthegoodchild，seizetheopportunitytomoveitselfquickly。Thewickedchildneverlooksround，butpegsalongsteadily；andwhenthebullarrivesitissuretobeinthemostconvenientpositionforreceivingmorallessons。Thegoodchild，whateveritsweight，crossestheiceinsafety。Thebadchildmayturnthescaleattwostonelighter；theicewillhavenoneofhim。\"Don’tyoutalktomeaboutrelativepressuretothesquareinch，\"saystheindignantice。
\"Youwereunkindtoyourlittlebabybrothertheweekbeforelast：
inyougo。\"Veronica’sargument，temperatelyandcourteouslyexpressed，Iadmit，camepracticallytothis：
\"Imayhaveactedwithoutsufficientknowledgetoguideme。Myeducationhasnot，perhaps，onthewhole，beenorderedwisely。
SubjectsthatIfeelwillneverbeoftheslightestinterestorconsequencetomehavebeeninsisteduponwithalmosttiresomereiteration。Mattersthatshouldbeusefulandhelpfultome——
gunpowder，totakebutoneexample——Ihavebeenleftinignoranceconcerning。AboutallthatIsaynothing；peoplehavedonetheirbestaccordingtotheirlights，nodoubt。When，however，wecometopurityofmotives，singlenessofintention，then，Imaintain，Iamabovereproach。TheproofofthisisthatProvidencehasbestoweduponmethesealofitsapproval：Iwasnotblownup。Hadmyconductbeenopentocensure——asincertainquartershasbeensuggested——shouldIbewalkingbesidesyounow，undamaged——notahairturned，asthesayingis？No。DiscriminatingFate——thatis，ifanyrelianceatallistobeplacedonliteraturefortheyoung——wouldhavemadeitherbusinessthatatleastIwasincludedinthedebris。
Instead，whatdowenotice！——ashatteredchimney，aruinedstove，brokenwindows，awreckageofhouseholdutensils；I，aloneofallthings，miraculouslypreserved。Idonotwishtopressthepointoffensively，butreallyitwouldalmostseemthatitmustbeyouthree——you，mydearparent，uponwhomwillfallthebillforrepairs；
Dick，apttoattachtoomuchimportance，maybe，tohisvictuals，andwhoforthenextfewdayswillbecompelledtoexistchieflyupontinnedgoods；Robina，bynatureofaworryingdisposition，certaintillthingsgetstraightagaintobenextdoortooffherhead——whomust，byreasonofconductintowhichIdonotenquire，havemeritedchastisementatthehandsofProvidence。Themorallessonwouldcertainlyappeartobebetweenyouthree。I——itgrowscleartome——
havebeenthroughoutbuttheinnocentinstrument。\"
Admitthepremisethattobevirtuousistoescapewhipping，theargumentislogical。Ifeltthatleftuncombateditmightleadusintoyetfurthertrouble。
\"Veronica，\"Isaid，\"thetimehascometorevealtoyouasecret：
literatureisnotalwaysasafeguidetolife。\"
\"Youmean——\"saidVeronica。
\"Imean，\"Isaid，\"thatthewriterofbooksis，generallyspeaking，anexceptionallymoralman。Thatiswhatleadshimastray：heistoogood。Thisworlddoesnotcomeuptohisideas。Itisnottheworldashewouldhavemadeithimself。Tosatisfyhiscravingformoralityhesetstoworktomakeaworldofhisown。Itisnotthisworld。Itisnotabitlikethisworld。Inaworldasitshouldbe，Veronica，youwouldundoubtedlyhavebeenblownup——ifnotaltogether，atalleventspartially。Whatyouhavetodo，Veronica，is，withafullheart，topraiseHeaventhatthisisnotaperfectworld。IfitwereIdoubtverymuch，Veronica，yourbeinghere。
Thatyouareherehappyandthrivingprovesthatallisnotasitshouldbe。Thebullofthisworld，feelinghewantstotosssomebody，doesnotsituponhimself，sotospeak，tillthewickedchildcomesby。Hetakesthefirstchildthatturnsup，andthanksGodforit。Ahundredtooneitisthebestchildformilesaround。
Thebulldoesnotcare。Hespoilsthatpatternchild。He’dspoilabishop，feelingashedoesthatmorning。Yourlittlefriendinthevelvetsuitwhodidgethimselfblownup，atalleventsasregardsthesuit——Whichofyouwasitthatthoughtofthatgunpowder，youorhe？\"
Veronicaclaimedthattheinspirationhadbeenhers。
\"Icaneasilybelieveit。Andwasheanxioustostealthegunpowderandputitonthefire，ordidhehavetobepersuaded？\"
Veronicaadmittedthatinthequalitiesofafirst—classherohewaswanting。Nottillithadbeensuggestedtohimthathemustatheartbeacowardycowardycustardhadhebeenmovedtotakeahandintheenterprise。
\"Alad，clearly，\"Icontinued，\"thatlefttohimselfwouldbeacomforttohisfriends。Andthestoryoftherobbers——yourinventionorhis？\"
Veronicawasgenerouslyofopinionthathemighthavethoughtofithadhenotbeenchieflyconcernedatthemomentwiththeideaofgettinghometohismother。Asitwas，theclothingwithromanceofincidentsotherwisebaldanduninterestinghadfallenuponher。
\"Thegoodchildofthestory。Thefactstandsoutateverypoint。
Hisonefailinganamiableweakness。Doyounotseeitforyourself；
Veronica？Inthebook，you，nothe，wouldhavetumbledoverthemat。
Inthiswickedworlditisthewickedwhoprosper。He，theinnocent，thevirtuous，istornintorags。You，thevillainofthestory，escape。\"
\"Isee，\"saidVeronica；\"thenwhenevernothinghappenstoyouthatmeansthatyou’reawrong’un。\"
\"Idon’tgosofarastosaythat，Veronica。AndIwishyouwouldn’tuseslang。Dickisaman，andaman——well，nevermindaboutaman。
You，Veronica，mustneverforgetthatyou’realady。Justicemustnotbelookedforinthisworld。Sometimesthewickedgetwhattheydeserve。Moreoftentheydon’t。Thereseemstobenorule。Followthedictatesofyourconscience，Veronica，andblow——Imeanbeindifferenttotheconsequences。Sometimesyou’llcomeoutallright，andsometimesyouwon’t。Butthebeautifulsensationwillalwaysbewithyou：Ididright。Thingshaveturnedoutunfortunately：butthat’snotmyfault。Nobodycanblameme。\"
\"Buttheydo，\"saidVeronica，\"theyblameyoujustasifyou’dmeanttogoanddoit。\"
\"Itdoesnotmatter，Veronica，\"Ipointedout，\"theopinionoftheworld。Thegoodmandisregardsit。\"
\"Buttheysendyoutobed，\"persistedVeronica。
\"Letthem，\"Isaid。\"WhatisbedsolongasthevoiceoftheinwardMonitorconsolesuswiththereflection——\"
\"Butitdon’t，\"interruptedVeronica；\"itmakesyoufeelallthemadder。Itdoesreally。\"
\"Itoughtn’tto，\"Itoldher。
\"Thenwhydoesit？\"arguedVeronica。\"Whydon’titdowhatitoughtto？\"
Thetroubleaboutarguingwithchildrenisthattheywillarguetoo。
\"Life’sadifficultproblem，Veronica，\"Iallowed。\"Thingsarenotastheyoughttobe，Iadmitit。Butonemustnotdespair。
Something’sgottobedone。\"
\"It’sjollyhardonsomeofus，\"saidVeronica。\"Striveasyoumay，youcan’tpleaseeveryone。Andifyoujustasmuchasstandupforyourself，oh，crikey！\"
\"Thedutyofthegrown—upperson，Veronica，\"Isaid，\"istobringupthechildinthewaythatitshouldgo。Itisn’teasywork，andoccasionallyirritabilitymaycreepin。\"
\"There’ssuchalotof’ematit，\"grumbledVeronica。\"Therearetimes，between’emall，whenyoudon’tknowwhetheryou’restandingonyourheadoryourheels。\"
\"Theymeanwell，Veronica，\"Isaid。\"WhenIwasalittleboyIusedtothinkjustasyoudo。Butnow——\"
\"Didyouevergetintorows？\"interruptedVeronica。
\"DidIever？——wasneveroutofthem，sofarasIcanrecollect。Ifitwasn’tonething，thenitwasanother。\"
\"Anddidn’titmakeyouwild？\"enquiredVeronica，\"whenfirstofallthey’daskwhatyou’dgottosayandwhyyou’ddoneit，andthen，whenyoutriedtoexplainthingstothem，wouldn’tlistentoyou？\"
\"Whatusedtoirritatememost，Veronica，\"Ireplied——\"Icanrememberitsowell——waswhentheytalkedsteadilyforhalfanhourthemselves，andthen，whenIwouldattemptwithonesentencetoputthemrightaboutthething，turnroundandbully—ragmeforbeingargumentative。\"
\"Iftheywouldonlylisten，\"agreedVeronica，\"youmightgetthemtograspthings。Butno，theytalkandtalk，tillattheendtheydon’tknowwhattheyaretalkingaboutthemselves，andthentheypretendit’syourfaultforhavingmadethemtired。\"
\"Iknow，\"Isaid，\"theyalwaysenduplikethat。’Iamtiredoftalkingtoyou，’theysay——asifwewerenottiredoflisteningtothem！\"
\"Andthenwhenyouthink，\"saidVeronica，\"theysayyououghtn’ttothink。Andifyoudon’tthink，andletitoutbyaccident，thentheysay’whydon’tyouthink？’Itdon’tseemasthoughwecoulddoright。Itmakesonealmostdespair。\"
\"Anditisn’tevenasiftheywerealwaysrightthemselves，\"I
pointedouttoher。\"Whentheyknockoveraglassitis，’Whoputthatglassthere？’You’dthinkthatsomebodyhadputitthereonpurposeandmadeitinvisible。Theyarenotexpectedtoseeaglasssixinchesinfrontoftheirnose，intheplacewheretheglassoughttobe。Thewaytheytalkyou’dsupposethataglasshadnobusinessonatable。IfIbrokeit，thenitwasalways，’Clumsylittledevil！
oughttohavehisdinnerinthenursery。’Iftheymislaytheirthingsandcan’tfindthem，it’s，’Who’sbeeninterferingwithmythings？Who’sbeeninhererummagingabout？’Thenwhentheyfindittheywanttoknowindignantlywhoputitthere。IfIcouldnotfindathing，forthesimplereasonthatsomebodyhadtakenitawayandputitsomewhereelse，thenwherevertheyhadputitwastherightplaceforit，andIwasalittleidiotfornotknowingit。\"
\"Andofcourseyoumustn’tsayanything，\"commentedVeronica。\"Oh，no！Iftheydosomethingsillyandyoujustpointitouttothem，thenthereisalwaysareasonforitthatyouwouldn’tunderstand。
Oh，yes！Andifyoumakejusttheslightestmistake，likewhatisnaturaltoallofus，thatisbecauseyouarewickedandunfeelinganddon’twanttobeanythingelse。\"
\"Iwilltellyouwhatwewilldo，Veronica，\"Isaid；\"wewillwriteabook。Youshallhelpme。Andinitthechildrenshallbethewiseandgoodpeoplewhonevermakemistakes，andtheyshallbosstheshow——youknowwhatImean——lookafterthegrown—uppeopleandbringthemupproperly。Andeverythingthegrown—uppeopledo，ordon’tdo，willbewrong。\"
Veronicaclappedherhands。\"No，willyoureally？\"shesaid。\"Oh，do。\"
\"Iwillreally，\"Ianswered。\"Wewillcallitamoraltaleforparents；andallthechildrenwillbuyitandgiveittotheirfathersandmothersandsuch—likefolkfortheirbirthdays，withwritingonthetitle—page，’FromJohnny，orJenny，todearPapa，ortodearAunty，witheverygoodwishforhisorherimprovement！’\"
\"Doyouthinktheywillreadit？\"doubtedVeronica。
\"Wewillputinitsomethingshocking，\"Isuggested，\"andgetsomepapertodenounceitasadisgracetoEnglishliterature。Andifthatwon’tdoitwewillsayitisatranslationfromtheRussian。
Thechildrenshallstopathomeandarrangewhattohavefordinner，andthegrown—uppeopleshallbesenttoschool。Wewillstartthemoffeachmorningwithalittlesatchel。Theyshallbemadetoread’Grimm’sFairyTales’intheoriginalGerman，withnotes；andlearn’OldMotherHubbard’byheartandexplainthegrammar。\"
\"Andgotobedearly，\"suggestedVeronica。
\"Wewillhavethemallinbedbyeighto’clock，Veronica，andtheywillgocheerfully，asiftheylikedit，orwewillknowthereasonwhy。Wewillmakethemsaytheirprayers。Betweenourselves，Veronica，Idon’tbelievetheyalwaysdo。Andnoreadinginbed，andnofinalglassofwhiskytoddy，oranynonsenseofthatsort。AnAbernethybiscuitandperhapsiftheyaregoodajujube，andthen’Goodnight，’anddownwiththeirheadonthepillow。Andnocallingout，andnopretendingtheyhavegotapainintheirtummyandcreepingdownstairsintheirnight—shirtsandclamouringforbrandy。
Wewillbeuptoalltheirtricks。\"
\"Andthey’llhavetotaketheirmedicine，\"Veronicaremembered。
\"Theslightestsuggestionofsulkiness，thefirstintimationthattheyarenotenjoyingthemselves，willmeancodliveroilinatablespoon，Veronica。\"
\"Andwewillaskthemwhytheyneverusetheircommonsense，\"chirpedVeronica。
\"Thatwillbeourtrouble，Veronica；thattheywon’thaveanysenseofanysort——notwhatweshalldeemsense。But，nevertheless，wewillbejust。Wewillalwaysgivethemareasonwhytheyhavegottodoeverythingtheydon’twanttodo，andnothingthattheywanttodo。Theywon’tunderstanditandtheywon’tagreethatitisareason；buttheywillkeepthattothemselves，iftheyarewise。\"
\"Andofcoursetheymustnotargue，\"Veronicainsisted。
\"Iftheyanswerback，Veronica，thatwillshowtheyarecursedwithanargumentativetemperamentwhichmustberootedoutatanycost，\"I
agreed；\"andiftheydon’tsayanything，thatwillprovethempossessedofasurlydispositionwhichmustbecheckedatonce，beforeitdevelopsintoavice。\"
\"Andwhateverwedotothemwewilltellthemit’sfortheirowngood，\"Veronicachortled。
\"Ofcourseitwillbefortheirowngood，\"Ianswered。\"Thatwillbeourchiefpleasure——makingthemgoodandhappy。Itwon’tbetheirpleasure，butthatwillbeowingtotheirignorance。\"
\"Theywillbegratefultouslateron，\"gurgledVeronica。
\"Withthatassurancewewillcomfortthemfromtimetotime，\"I
answered。\"Wewillbegoodtotheminallways。Wewillletthemplaygames——notstupidgames，golfandcroquet，thatdoyounogoodandleadonlytolanguageanddispute——butbearsandwolvesandwhales；educationalsortofgamesthatwillaidtheminacquiringknowledgeofnaturalhistory。WewillshowthemhowtoplayPiratesandRedIndiansandOgres——sensibleplaythatwillhelpthemtodeveloptheirimaginativefaculties。Thatiswhygrown—uppeoplearesodull；theyarenevermadetothink。Butnowandthen，\"I
continued，\"wewillletthemplaytheirowngames，sayonWednesdayandSaturdayafternoons。Wewillinviteothergrown—upstocometoteawiththem，andletthemflirtinthegarden，orifwetmakeloveinthedining—room，tillnursecomesforthem。Butwe，ofcourse，mustchoosetheirfriendsforthem——nice，well—behavedladiesandgentlemen，theparentsofrespectablechildren；becauselefttothemselves——well，youknowwhattheyare！Theywouldjustaslikelyfallinlovewithquiteundesirablepeople——menandwomenwecouldnotthinkofhavingaboutthehouse。Wewillselectforthemcompanionswefeelsurewillbethemostsuitableforthem；andiftheydon’tlikethem——ifUncleWilliamsayshecan’tbearthegirlwehaveinviteduptolovehim——thathepositivelyhatesher，wetilltellhimthatitisonlyhiswilfultemper，andthathe’sgottolikeherbecauseshe’sgoodforhim；anddon’tletushaveanyofhisfretfulness。AndifGrandmammapoutsandsaysshewon’tloveoldmanJonesmerelybecausehe’sgotarednose，oraglasseye，orsomesillyreasonofthatsort，wewillsaytoher：’Allright，mylady，youwillplaywithMr。Jonesandbenicetohim，oryouwillspendtheafternoonputtingyourroomtidy；makeupyourmind。’Wewillletthemmarry（onWednesdayandSaturdayafternoons），andplayatkeepinghouse。Andiftheyquarrelwewillshakethemandtakethebabiesawayfromthem，andlockthemupindrawers，andtellthemtheysha’n’thavethemagaintilltheyaregood。\"
\"Andthemoretheytrytobegood，themoreitwillturnoutthattheyain’tbeengood，\"Veronicareflected。
\"Theirgoodnessandtheirbadnesswilldependuponusinmoresensesthanone，Veronica，\"Iexplained。\"WhenConsolsaredown，whentheeastwindhastouchedupourliver，theywillbesurprisedhowbadtheyare。\"
\"Andtheymustn’teverforgetwhatthey’veeverbeenoncetold，\"
crowedVeronica。\"Wemustn’thavetotell’emthesamethingoverandoveragain，likewewastalkingtobrickwalls。\"
\"Andifwemeanttotellthemandforgottotellthem，\"Iadded，\"wewilltellthemthattheyoughtnottowantustotellthemasimplethinglikethat，asiftheyweremerebabies。Wemustrememberallthesepoints。\"
\"Andiftheygrumblewe’lltellthemthat’s’costheydon’tknowhowhappytheyare。Andwe’lltellthemhowgoodweusedtobewhen——I
say，don’tyoumissyourtrain，orIshallgetintoarow。\"
\"GreatScott！I’dforgottenallaboutthattrain，Veronica，\"I
admitted。
\"Betterrun，\"suggestedVeronica。
Itsoundedgoodadvice。
\"Keeponthinkingaboutthatbook，\"shoutedVeronica。
\"Makeanoteofthingsastheyoccurtoyou，\"Ishoutedback。
\"Whatshallwecallit？\"Veronicascreamed。
\"’WhytheManintheMoonlookssatupon，’\"Ishrieked。
WhenIturnedagainshewassittingonthetoprailofthestileconductinganimaginaryorchestrawithoneofherownshoes。Thesix—fifteenwasfortunatelytwentyminuteslate。
IthoughtitbesttotellEthelberthathetruth；thatthingshadgonewrongwiththekitchenstove。
\"Letmeknowtheworst，\"shesaid。\"IsVeronicahurt？\"
\"Theworst，\"Isaid，\"isthatIshallhavetopayforanewrange。
Why，whenanythinggoesamiss，poorVeronicashouldbeassumedasamatterofcoursetobeinit，appearstomeunjust。\"
\"Youaresureshe’sallright？\"persistedEthelbertha。
\"HonestInjun——confoundthosechildrenandtheirslang——Imeanpositively，\"Ianswered。TheLittleMotherlookedrelieved。
Itoldherallthetroublewehadhadinconnectionwiththecow。
