Grace's D'" ".:. 73

 "Yes, Grace, indeed I have; and I can
fully sympathise with you. Such feelings are
indeed great trials."
 But no one could tell you had them; how
is that ?"
 "I am afraid they could; perhaps not you,
because at home temptations are not apt to
occur; besides which, the older one grows the
easier it is to conceal them, and the more one
has had occasion to struggle against them, the
easier they become to subdue."
 "That is just what I can't see, Gilbert.
The more I think of my crossness, and the
little things which cause it, the worse I get."
 "Do you ? that is strange In what sort of
way do you mean ?"
 "I don't think I can explain very well;"
and she thought a few minutes, and then
continued: "The other day, when mamma
wanted Edith to go with you instead of me,
that made me cross. I like her to be pleased,
you know, but I had been thinking so much
of it, and going with you too! So then I
was angry with myself, and the more I
thought the worse I grew, till I felt almost
wild Oh! Gilbert, wasn't it wicked ?" and
her voice sunk to an almost audible sob.
 "But with whom were you cross, Grace ?"