"That is so. What a fellow I am!"
"Fred," said Bessie, "gemperlums don't tease. Papa is a gemperlum, and he never teases."
"And mamma said Tom Norris was a perfect little gentleman, and he does not tease. I guess gentlemen always 'do to others as they would,'" said Maggie, who was very fond of this line.
"They ought to if they do not," said Harry, "and no one can say that you don't keep that rule, Maggie."
"When people have angry passions, it's very hard not to get in one when they're teased," said Bessie. "Fred, I do have to try so very, very hard."
Fred threw down his kite, and caught his little sister in his arms.
"See if I plague you any more then," he said. "I was just telling Harry I did not mean to do it, and the first thing, I am at it again; but I will try to remember, Bess. Harry, if I forget again, I give you leave to bring me up short the best way you can."
Fred kept his word, and after this, took much pains to break himself of his provoking habit.
