He complained so much that his mother could not always tell when censure was deserved.

It had become a habit with him, and a dozen times a day he would go to her, with the complaint that Oscar had been plaguing him, or Ella had got something that belonged to him, or Ralph would not do this or that.
George, who was the youngest of the children, was at this time seven years old; Ralph was two years and half older, and Oscar, who was the oldest son, was about half way between thirteen and fourteen.

They had two sisters.

Alice, the oldest, was fifteen years of age, and Eleanor, or Ella, as she was commonly called, was about eleven.
The father of these boys and girls was a shop-keeper in Boston.

His business required so much of his attention, that he was seldom with his family, except at meal-times and nights.