degree, for your enjoyment, and only give it up because I am absolutely
compelled to do it by a storm; _undutiful_, in showing such a repining,
unsubmissive spirit towards your father; _unjust_ in making Lucy and all
of us suffer, because you are unwilling to submit to these circumstances
that we cannot control; _selfish_, in being unwilling that it should
rain and interfere with your ride, when you know that rain is so much
wanted in all the fields, all over the country; and, what is worse than
all, _impious_, in openly rebelling against God, and censuring the
arrangements of his providence, and pretending to think that they are
made just to trouble you."

When he had said this, he paused to hear what Rollo would say. He
thought that if he was convinced of his sin, and really penitent, he
would acknowledge that he was wrong, or at least be silent;--but that
if, on the other hand, he were still unsubdued, he would go to making
excuses.

After a moment's pause, Rollo said,--"I did not know that there was need
of rain in the fields."

"Did not you?" said his father. "Did not you know that the ground was
very dry, and that, unless we have rain soon, the crops will suffer very
much?"

"No, sir," said Rollo.

"It is so," said his father; "and this rain, which you are so unwilling
to have descend, is going down into the ground all over the country, and
into the roots of all the plants growing in the fields, carrying in the
nourishment which will swell out all the corn and grain, and apples and