The “Letter-writing Society”—A letter from Oscar to Marcus—An explanation—A secret trouble—A good purpose—Marcus to Oscar—The explanation examined—The blame not wholly removed—The secret—Self-government—The several steps—An illustration—How Mr. Ease is snubbed—The victory—Self-denial the law of life—Power of habit—A proposal from Otis—A criticism by Kate—The critic criticised—Advantage of not taking things upon trust—Kate convicted—An apology—Something about “the old maid”—One of her letters—The four dogs,[151]

CHAPTER X.

A WOUNDED CONSCIENCE.

Ellen Blake—A place wanted—A suggestion—Mrs. Page decides to take Ellen—The school prizes—Another blotted writing-book—Lewis Daniels—His singular conduct—The teacher’s suspicions—What she said to Lewis—His reply—Guilt betrayed—His confession—A singular reason for blotting his book—Another sin confessed—A mystery cleared up—Stings of conscience—Seeking peace by new sins—The teacher’s forgiveness—A duty to Ronald—A duty to God—Prayer—Lewis confesses his fault to Ronald—Anger checked—The penitent forgiven—The examination—Ronald takes two prizes,[163]

CHAPTER XI.

INDOOR AMUSEMENTS.

A disappointment—Amusements—The new play—“Conglomeration”—A queer medley of words—The sentences read—Rare sport—The “Hay-Mow Debating Society”—Questions discussed—A riddle—A puzzle—Turk and Christian puzzle—A prolific word of seven letters—Angles—Oscar’s puzzle—Half of nine—The Arabs and their dinner—The carpenter’s dispute—Story of Audley, the miser—A hard bargain—Results of arithmetical progression—The figure 9—Its wonderful properties—Multiplying by 5—Magic Squares—Other diversions,[174]

CHAPTER XII.

THE NEWSPAPER.

How the newspaper originated—Its name—How it was managed—The first number—Disappointed correspondents—A surprise number—How it was got up—A transcript of the third number—Lines to Ronald—An exercise for scholars—Nothing insignificant—I can’t—To correspondents—News items—Small beginnings—Vanity, a fable—Rover’s communication—The snow—A cunning fellow—Gleanings,[193]