'
'Beginning at home?' said Sir Edward.
'Of course, Papa,' said Anne; 'I know that my failure in self-control
has done mischief, though I cannot tell how much. I laughed at the
Hazlebys continually, in spite of Mamma's warning, and encouraged
Lizzie to talk of them when I had better not have done so; and I
allowed myself to be led away by eagerness to hear that foolish
lecture. I suppose I want control of spirits.'
'And now having finished our own confession, how merrily we begin
upon our neighbours!' said Rupert; 'whom shall we dissect first?'
'Indeed, Rupert,' said Anne, 'I do not want to make the most of their
faults, I only wish to study their characters, because I think it is
a useful thing to do. Now I do not see that Kate's faults are
occasioned by want of self-control; do you think they are, Mamma?'
'Do you think that piece of thistle-down possesses any self-control?'
said Rupert.
'You mean that Kate does not control her own conduct at all, but is
drifted about by every wind that blows,' said Anne; 'yes, it was Miss
Hazleby's influence that made her talk so much more of dress than
usual, and really seem sillier than I ever saw her before.
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