LETTER-WRITING.
| How Oscar discharged his duties—His lessons—Unanswered letters—A bad way—The day devoted to letter-writing—“Yes” and “No”—Why Marcus spoke of the subject—Wandering thoughts—A strange bird—A day dream—The proud conquest—A perilous descent—The prize secured—The dream ended—The newspaper—Scribbling—Apologies—The eagle becomes a hawk—Marcus astonished—Oscar’s excuses—A ride lost—Finds himself a prisoner—A light dinner—The task finished—A plan to encourage letter-writing—Kate’s achievements in that line—A domestic post office—The plan unfolded—A vote taken—Choosing a name—Rules adopted, | [92] |
CHAPTER VII.
THE RAIN POWER.
| The letter-box—The first mail—The invitation—A storm predicted—The water boils away—The prediction fulfilled—Sorry mishaps—Fretfulness—Selfishness—The rain not needless—Quantity not excessive—A few calculations—Wonderful results—Annual fall of rain—Rainy regions—Little and often better than much and seldom—Object of the tropical rains—How the water forms clouds—Evaporation—Effects of heat—Why vapor rises—Visible vapors—Office of the winds—Why the rain falls—Snow and hail—Snow crystals—The Sahara—South American deserts—Poetry—Bryant’s “Rain Dream,” | [110] |
CHAPTER VIII.
INSUBORDINATION.
| Marcus’s theory of government—How it worked with Oscar—Apprehended failure—A consultation—A forbidden intimacy—Tobacco—The letter—Ten arguments against tobacco, and one for it—An ineffectual remonstrance—Mrs. Page’s decision—Oscar plainly dealt with—His demeanor—The circus bill—The excitement suddenly allayed—Objections to the circus—Oscar’s opinion—A caution—Arrival of the circus—Oscar visits the grounds—Who he met there—The donkey race—Otis—A recognition—An unfortunate exposure—Alfred Walton—An offer—Oscar declines—Solicitations and motives—He is pressed into the tent—Late return home—Is called to account—Punishment—A prisoner on parole—Inviolability of the parole—The Turkish soldiers—Oscar’s promise—Repentings, | [131] |
CHAPTER IX.
CORRESPONDENCE.