Nevertheless--and my heart aches as I recall those times--we had periodical fits of despondency, which filled us with acute and intolerable agony.
These periods came with curious regularity almost once a week.

At such times I at once instituted sports, such as swimming matches, races on the beach, swings, and acrobatic performances on the horizontal bars.

Also Shakespearian plays, songs (the girls taught me most of Moore's melodies), and recitations both grave and gay.

The fits of despondency were usually most severe when we had been watching the everlasting sea for hours, and had perhaps at last caught sight of a distant sail without being able to attract the attention of those on board.

The girls, too, suffered from fits of nervous apprehension lest I should go away from them for any length of time.