Soon after I had commenced eating my supper, the two children who
were playing on the floor, began quarrelling with each other.

"John! go off to bed!" said the father, in a loud, peremptory voice,
speaking to one of the children.

But John, though he could not help hearing, did not choose to obey.

"Do you hear me, sir? Off with you!" repeated the angry father.

"I don't want to go," whined the child.

"Go, I tell you, this minute!"

Still, there was not the slightest movement to obey; and the little
fellow looked the very image of rebellion. At this crisis in the
affair, when a storm seemed inevitable, the sister, as I supposed
her to be, glided across the room, and stooping down, took the
child's hands in hers. Not a word was said; but the young rebel was
instantly subdued. Rising, he passed out by her side, and I saw no
more of him during the evening.

Soon after I had finished my supper, a neighbour came in, and it was
not long before he and the man of the house were involved in a warm
political discussion, in which were many more assertions than
reasons. My host was not a very clear-headed man; while his
antagonist was wordy and specious. The former, as might be supposed,
very naturally became excited, and, now and then, indulged himself
in rather strong expressions toward his neighbour, who, in turn,
dealt back wordy blows that were quite as heavy as he had received,