Jean was nearly torn in half, between the pulling of her own desires on the one hand, and the pulling of duty on the other hand. Her whole soul was bent upon the promised game with the brother whom her little heart worshipped. But this poor small baronet, with his dread of the river, how could he ever find his way home?
It was one of those everyday occasions, when the child's decision one way or the other, does much towards the formation of that child's character. Either the bent towards right, the devotion to duty—the Pflichttreue—is strengthened, and the passion of self-pleasing is weakened; or vice versa.
Jean was sorely tempted; but her home training from babyhood had aimed to teach her one thing—always to do the Right, irrespective of cost to self. Such early training is an untold power for after-good. Every time the will conquers, it gains strength; every time it is overcome, it loses strength. Mere habit, one way or the other, has the compelling force of iron bands in later life. These bands were already in process of formation; and Jean did not hesitate long.
"I can't," she said; "he doesn't know the way round by the bridge. I must show him."
"Rubbish! A boy not able to find his way!"
"He isn't like most boys. He is so—funny!" Jean said, lowering her voice. "So little!"
"Little goose! Time he should learn to be like other boys."
Jean was silent.
"Well, you needn't ask me to come back for a game with you another day! That's all."
Jean's heart was ready to break under his displeasure, yet she stood to her duty.