2/14 He had a peculiar knack of getting rid of work. If he was directed to do a thing, he was almost sure to try to coax Alice, or Ella, or Ralph, or Bridget, or somebody else, to do it for him. He never taxed his own legs, or hands, or muscles, when he could make use of other people's. This lazy habit was a source of no small anxiety to his mother, and was a constant annoyance to all the family. "I hope it did n't hurt you much." "I was n't afraid of its hurting me," said Oscar "but I was reading, and did n't want to stop." "I am afraid that is only an excuse," replied his mother. |