ubles.

Marten was so bent upon behaving well during his mamma's and papa's
absence and of fulfilling every duty, that though Reuben wished to stay
out all morning and play, his brother would not allow it, but persuaded
him to go in with him and say his lessons, as if his mamma had been at
home. But Marten had taken upon himself much more than was required of
him by his parents, and it was not without difficulty, even on the first
day, determined as he was upon the point, that he could fulfil all his
intentions, for Marten had not taken into consideration that if he
thoroughly devoted himself to Reuben, he could not spend his time in
learning his own lessons, which usually occupied the best hours of the
morning. The doves could be fed whilst Reuben was by his side--indeed
Reuben could be very useful in this matter, for he had been accustomed
to visit the aviary daily with his mamma, and the pretty birds knew him
and were not as afraid of him as they were of his big brother Marten. So
Reuben fed the doves himself, and stroked their soft feathers, and
washed out their little tin in which the water was put for them to
drink; and he placed the food for them in its right corner, and he swept
out the floor of the aviary, for he was small enough to stand upright
within it, and he knew how to do it without frightening the birds. So
far all was well, and all was well too whilst Reuben was saying his
lessons; but when Marten wanted to study his Latin exercise, the child
was so restless and troublesome, that it was only by speaking very
decidedly to him--indeed almost crossly--that Marten could get a moment
to himself.

But even then Marten had to shut up his book somewhat hastily, for
Reuben began to cry for his mamma, who never spoke sharply to him, and
was always ready to attend to the little one by a kind look or tender
word.

Marten was, however, so satisfied with himself in having accomplished
all his plans for the day, that he did not see how he had given way to
temptation in being cross when provoked; and as he put Reuben to bed,
for he chose to do it himself, he could not help saying aloud, "I wish
mamma could have followed me unseen all day: how pleased she would have
been with me, for I have done all I meant to do, even though I was
tempted more than once to leave something undone."

The next morning Marten arose, perhaps not quite so earnest in his
intentions as the day before, but still there was only a slight
di