It was unfortunate, but I can't tell why you go and make yourself ill, by fancying it worse than it is.

The boy has done very wrong, but people get cured of such things in time, and it is nonsense to fret as if he were not a mere child of eight years old.

You did not teach him deceit." "No, but I concealed it--papa is disappointed, when he thought he could trust me." "Well! I suppose no one could expect never to make mistakes," said Richard, in his sober tone.
"Self-sufficiency!" exclaimed Margaret, "that has been the root of all! Do you know, Ritchie, I believe I was expecting that I could always judge rightly." "You generally do," said Richard; "no one else could do half what you do." "So you have said, papa, and all of you, till you have spoilt me.

I have thought it myself, Ritchie." "It is true," said Richard.
"But then," said Margaret, "I have grown to think much of it, and not like to be interfered with.

I thought I could manage by myself, and when I said I would not worry papa, it was half because I liked the doing and settling all about the children myself.