CHAPTER IV.

A DOUBTFUL BLESSING--A FAMILY FAILING--OLD BATTLES--THE
CANAL-CARRIER'S HOME.


When we found that Rupert's leg was not broken, and that it was only a
severe blow on his knee, we were all delighted. But when weeks and
months went by and he was still lame and very pale and always tired,
we began to count for how long past, if the leg had been broken, it
would have been set, and poor Rupert quite well. And when Johnny
Bustard said that legs and arms were often stronger after being broken
than before (if they were properly set, as his father could do them),
we felt that if Gregory would bowl for people's shins he had better
break them at once, and let Mr. Bustard make a good job of them.

The first part of the time Rupert made light of his accident, and
wanted to go back to school, and was very irritable and impatient. But
as the year went on he left off talking about its being all nonsense,
and though he suffered a great deal he never complained. I used quite
to miss his lecturing me, but he did not even squabble with Henrietta
now.

This reminds me of a great fault of mine--I am afraid it was a family
failing, though it is a very mean one--I was jealous. If I was
"particular friends" with any one, I liked to have him all to myself;