One final point remains to be considered. He threw the bird in Delia's face and called her a name which must have hurt her feelings.
Boy: "I couldn't help it. I was angry."
Mother: "I understand that perfectly. But all the same, it was rather hard on Delia, especially when she was only trying to do what she thought was right."
Boy: "Sometimes, I've got an awful temper."
Mother: "I don't mind that a bit. I'm glad of it. It's only because you have such strong feelings."
Boy: "Have you got a temper, too?"
Mother (smiling and nodding): "Of course I have—as bad as yours—or worse."
Boy (delighted): "Really?"
Mother: "But it's something we all have to learn to control. Because if we can't control it, it's sure to make us do things that we're ashamed of afterwards—things that are unkind and unfair to others. Aren't you just a little bit ashamed of what you did to Delia?"
Boy (meeting her eye with smile of enquiry—then looking away and thinking, with feeling): "No—I'm not!"