I do not know how it was,' went on Mrs.Maberley, 'but Eric always seemed in the wrong.

Etta used to take his part,--which was very good of her, as Eric could not bear her and treated her most rudely.

Mr.
Hamilton used to complain that Gladys encouraged him in his idleness; he sometimes came in here of an evening looking quite miserable, poor fellow, and would say that his sisters and Eric were leagued against him; that but for Etta he would be at his wits' end what to do.

Eric would not obey him; he simply defied his authority; he was growing more idle every day, and when he remonstrated with him, Gladys took his part.

Oh dear, I am afraid they were all very wretched.' 'You think Mr.Hamilton did not understand his young brother.' 'Well, perhaps not.