Chapter XV: Show and Substance

How Charlie Doane made money—Maple sugar—Picking greens—Learning
to be a miser—Mr. Doane and the widow’s cow—Free remarks—Marcus
justifies himself—Ronald wants a new-fashioned cap—Oscar
unburdens his mind—What the girls talk about—Jessie’s
defence—Oscar renews the assault—Kate enters the ring—Her
explanation—Her good nature for once overpowered—Oscar beats a
retreat—Ronald and Otis come to the rescue—A telling shot from
Kate—The debate arrested—Mrs. Page awards justice
impartially—Evils and folly of thinking too much of dress—The
fault not quite universal—Oscar takes back a portion of his
charge—Aunt Fanny’s testimony—Little souls—A dwarfed
mind—Testimony of foreign travellers—A good rule about dress—An
inspired command—Failure of Abby’s father—Telegraph
despatch—Free comments—Sympathy—Abby at school—An unexpected
placidity, and a sudden explosion—First effect of the
intelligence upon Abby—A secret struggle—Shutting herself out
from sympathy—One Friend in the time of need—Lessons and
consolations—How Abby received Jessie’s kind offices, 271

CHAPTER XVI.

GETTING UP IN THE WORLD.

Reviewing studies—The scholar’s countersign—Step by step—How men
become eminent—The idea, if not the language—Porson’s
testimony—A French grenadier on the top of the pyramid—A lesson
from a picture—What man has done, man may do—Kate’s
promotion—Why Ronald failed—Better late than never—The Grade of
Honor—A substitute for prizes—The two honorary grades—Ceremony
of admission to the Grade of Fidelity—Popularity of the
Grade—Exclusion from it—Difficulty of getting into the Grade of
Honor—Admission ceremonies—Privileges of members—Abby called
home, 286

CHAPTER XVII.

TIDINGS.

Unpleasant news—Sam injured in a fight—Anxiety—The letter of
inquiry—The reply—Visit to Sam—His injuries—His account of the
fight—Mr. Preston’s kindness—Oscar’s proposed visit home—Jerry
Preston’s return from sea—A present from Ralph to Ronald—Jessie
writes to Sam—Oscar and Jerry—Their relations to one
another—Capt. Page—Possibility of his survival—Ronald’s
present—Cage and bird—Principle on which the toy is
constructed—Other applications of the principle—Oscar’s trip to
Boston—An unexpected pleasure, 301