I will not tell you that such indulgence will give you endless trouble, win you neither love nor respect, and probably teach its objects to laugh at you under the veil.

You will care more for this--that you would find yourself forced at last to change 'velvet hand for leathern band.' Believe me, my--our comfort and happiness must depend on your grasping the helm at once and firmly; ruling us, and ruling with a strong hand.

Otherwise your home will resemble the most miserable of all scenes of discomfort--an ungoverned school; and the most severe and arbitrary household rule is better by far than that.

And--forgive me once more--but do not speak as if you would deal one measure with the left hand and another with the right.

Surely you do not so misunderstand me as to think I counselled you to treat myself differently from others?
'Just rule only can be gentle.' If you show favouritism at first, you will find yourself driven step by step to do what you will feel to be cruel; what will pain yourself perhaps more than any one else.