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。