THE ARITHMETIC LESSON. 23

-“¥ hate the school, and my arithmetic, and every-
thing !” ciied I, aloud, when fairly beyond the hearing
“of my father. And what poor, lazy, inefficient youth ,
doés not indulge in the same foolish feelings? It is not
he who has conquered difficulties, but he who has been
conquered by them, that is unhappy, discontented, and
unreasonable. _

I went into the kitchen for my books, where my
pitiful and -complaining look. and tone wrought. upon
the sympathies of my sister Mary. |

“ Oh, mother ! por Robert will get down, he will,
I know; and the school committee will be there, too.
Oh, mother! do ask father to write an excuse; do,
mother.”

‘I was touched by this kindness; my little blue
spotted handkerchief was at my face.

“Mother, do!” added Jane.

“You are in trouble, Robert, I know,” said my
_mother, feelingly ; “but try and meet it like a man.”
‘Then I wiped my face, and sorrowfully left them.

On my way to school I met one and another of the