CHAPTER VIII.
"Tis not enough that Greek or Roman page At stated hours, his freakish thoughts engage, Even in his pastimes he requires a friend To warn and teach him safely to unbend, O'er all his pleasures gently to preside, Watch his emotions, and control their tide."-- COWPER.
The misfortunes of that day disheartened and disconcerted Etheldred.

To do mischief where she most wished to do good, to grieve where she longed to comfort, seemed to be her fate; it was vain to attempt anything for anyone's good, while all her warm feelings and high aspirations were thwarted by the awkward ungainly hands and heedless eyes that Nature had given her.

Nor did the following day, Saturday, do much for her comfort, by giving her the company of her brothers.

That it was Norman's sixteenth birthday seemed only to make it worse.

Their father had apparently forgotten it, and Norman stopped Blanche when she was going to put him in mind of it; stopped her by such a look as the child never forgot, though there was no anger in it.