[ CHAPTER VIII.
GRANDMOTHER LEE. ]
One of her habits—Ella's complaint—Alice's reproof—Ella's rude reply to her grandmother—A mild rebuke—A sterner reproof—Shame and repentance—Popping corn—George's selfishness—A fruitless search for the corn-bag—Bad Temper—An ineffectual reproof—George's obstinacy—How he became selfish—Difficulty of breaking up a bad habit—What he lost by his selfishness—Oscar's dog—He is named "Tiger"—His portrait—His roguishness—Oscar's trick upon his grandmother—Unfortunate ending—Tiger's destructiveness—A mystery, and its probable solution—Oscar's falsehood—Tiger's banishment decreed, but not carried out—Grandmother Lee's remonstrance with Oscar—Bridget's onset—Oscar's excuse—Moral principle wanting—Mrs. Lee's departure.
[ CHAPTER IX.
WINTER SPORTS. ]
Coasting—Oscar's sled—Borrowing and lending—A merry scene on the Common—Various sleds and characters—A collision—Damage to Ralph and the "Clipper"—Not accidental—The guilty parties called to account—No satisfaction obtained—Ralph's trouble—Oscar's anger—His revenge—A fight—His termination—Skating—Tiger on the ice—His plunge into an air-hole—His alarm and escape—Going home—Unfounded fears awakened—Tiger's shame—A talk about air-holes—What they are for, and how they are made—Skaters should be cautious—A change in Tiger's habits—A great snow-storm—Appearance of the streets—Fun for the boys—A job for Oscar—He is wiser than his father—Nullification of a command—The command repeated—Icy sidewalks—Laziness and its excuses—A wise suggestion—Duty neglected—Oscar called to account—His excuses—Unpleasant consequences of his negligence—The command repeated, with a "snapper" at the end—The dreaded task completed.
[ CHAPTER X.
APPEARANCES. ]
A compulsory ride—Merited retribution—A sad plight for a proud boy—Laughter and ridicule—Oscar's neatness and love of dress—The patched jacket—Oscar's objections to it—Benny Wright, the boy of many patches—His character—The jacket question peremptorily settled—A significant shake of the head—A watch wanted—Why boys carry watches—Punctuality—Oscar's tardiness at school—The real cause of it—Thinking too much of outside appearances—Character of more consequence than cloth—An offer—The conditions—A hard question—How to accomplish an object—Oscar's waywardness—Boarding-school discipline—The High School—An anticipated novelty.
[ CHAPTER XI.
THE MORAL LESSON. ]
Oscar's shrewdness—His reputation for integrity—A new want—Perplexity—A chance for speculation—A dishonest device—Its success—Secrecy—The fraud discovered—Oscar's defence—Restitution refused—Indignation—The Monday morning lesson in morals—Dishonesty—Rectifying mistakes—The principle unfolded—Restoring lost articles—A case for Oscar to decide—His reluctant decision—Taking advantage of another's ignorance—Duty of restitution—Other forms of dishonesty—Better to be cheated than to cheat—Effect of the lesson upon Oscar.
[ CHAPTER XII.
SICKNESS. ]
Wet feet—A command disobeyed—Dabbling in the water—Playing on the ice—An unexpected adventure—Afloat on an ice-cake—A consultation—Danger and alarm—Spectators—A call for help—A critical situation—The rescue—Effects of the adventure—Feverish dreams—Strange feelings—The doctor's visit—Lung fever—The Latin prescription—Oscar's removal—He grows worse—Peevishness—Passing the crisis—Improved behavior—Getting better—General rejoicings—Further improvement—Return of a bad habit—Fretfulness and impatience—A dispute—First attempt to sit up—Its failure—First day in an easy chair—The sweets of convalescence—Danger of a relapse.