"It is very provoking, and to have them triumphing as they will! There's no bearing it!" "Norman, certainly, is not at all well, poor fellow," said Flora, "and I suppose he wants rest, but I wish papa would let him do what he can.
It would be much better for him than moping about as he is always doing now; and the disappointment of losing his place will be grievous, though now he fancies he does not care for it." "I wonder when he will ever care for anything again.

All I read and tell him only seems to tease him, though he tries to thank me." "There is a strange apathy about him," said Flora, "but I believe it is chiefly for want of exertion.

I should like to rouse him if papa would let me; I know I could, by telling him how these Andersons are reckoning on his getting down.

If he does, I shall be ready to run away, that I may never meet any one here again." Ethel was very unhappy till she was able to pour all this trouble out to Margaret, and worked herself almost into crying about Norman's being passed by "that Harvey," and his sisters exulting, and papa being vexed, and Norman losing time and not caring.
"There you are wrong," said Margaret, "Norman did care very much, and it was not till he had seen clearly that it was a matter of duty to do as papa thought right, and not agitate his mind about his chances of keeping up, that he could bear to give up his work;" and she told Ethel a little of what had passed.
Ethel was much struck.

"But oh, Margaret, it is very hard, just to have him put up for the sake of being put down, and pleasing the Andersons!" "Dear Ethel, why should you mind so much about the Andersons?
May they not care about their brother as we do for ours ?" "Such a brother to care about!" said Ethel.
"But I suppose they may like him the best," said Margaret, smiling.
"I suppose they do," said Ethel grudgingly; "but still I cannot bear to see Norman doing nothing, and I know Harvey Anderson will beat him." "Surely you had rather he did nothing than made himself ill!" "To be sure, but I wish it wasn't so." "Yes; but, Ethel, whose doing is his getting into this state ?" Ethel looked grave.