[figure description] Page 164.[end figure description]

“Five weeks' vexation in August!” said Mrs. Partington,
when she heard that the school had a vacation
for five weeks; “five weeks' vexation! It is a trying
season for mothers, and wearing and tearing to their
patience and the jackets and trousers of the children.
Talk about the relaxing from study! I don't believe
it 's half as bad as the green apples they get in the
country. But I do love to see the little dears enjoying
themselves, frisking about like pigs in clover, as happy
as the days is long. What an idea of freedom there is
in a little boy with his face and hair full of molasses and
fun and good-nature! Be still, you good-for-nothing!”
cried she, as Ike attempted to take her snuff-box; “Be
still, I say!”

But it was not in anger; for she felt in her capacious
pocket, and, from away down under her snuff-box, and
thimbles, and bone-buttons, and needles, and pin-cushions,
and beeswax, she brought up a ball of variegated
hues, and smiled as she gave it into his eager hand, and
bade him be a good boy.

p677-186

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