‘Yes, the children have been doing their best to distract him. Emily, I want to know why it is that those children are for ever in mischief and yelling in all parts of the house.’ ‘I wish I could help it,’ said Emily, with a sigh; ‘they are very troublesome.’ ‘There must be great mismanagement,’ said her brother. ‘Oh, William! Why do you think so?’ ‘Other children do not go on in this way, and it was not so in Eleanor’s time.’ ‘It is only Phyllis,’ said Emily. ‘Phyllis or not, it ought not to be. What will that child grow up, if you let her be always running wild with the boys?’ ‘Consider, William, that you see us at a disadvantage; we are all unsettled by this illness, and the children have been from home.’ ‘As if they learnt all these wild tricks at Broomhill! That excuse will not do, Emily.’ ‘And then they are always worse in the holidays,’ pleaded Emily. ‘Yes, there are reasons to be found for everything that goes wrong; but if you were wise you would look deeper. Now, Emily, I do not wish to be hard upon you, for I know you are in a very difficult position, and very young for such a charge, but I am sure you might manage better. I do not think you use your energies. There is no activity, nor regularity, nor method, about this household. I believe that my father sees that this is the case, but it is not his habit to find fault with little things. You may think that, therefore, I need not interfere, but—’ ‘Oh, William! I am glad—’ ‘But remember that comfort is made up of little things. And, Emily, when you consider how much my father has suffered, and how desolate his home must be at the best, I think you will be inclined to exert yourself to prevent him from being anxious about the children or harassed by your negligence.’ ‘Indeed, William,’ returned Emily, with many tears, ‘it is my most earnest wish to make him comfortable. Thank you for what you have said. Now that I am stronger, I hope to do more, and I will really do my best.’ At this moment Emily was sincere; but the good impulse of one instant was not likely to endure against long cherished habits of selfish apathy.