Page:Carroll Rankin--Dandelion Cottage.djvu/27

 Rh  missed an opportunity. In school she read with a tremendous amount of expression but mispronounced half the words; when questions were asked, she waved her hand triumphantly aloft and gave anything but the right answer; she had a surprising stock of energy, but most of it was misdirected. Warm-hearted, generous, heedless, hot-tempered and always blundering, she was something of a trial at home and abroad; yet no one could help loving her, for everybody realised that she would grow up some day into a really fine woman, and that all that was needed in the meantime was considerable patience. Rearing Mabel was not unlike the task of bringing up a St. Bernard puppy. Mrs. Bennett was decidedly glad to note the growing friendship among the four girls for she hoped that Mabel would, in time, grow dignified and sweet like Jean, thoughtful and tender like Bettie, graceful and prettily-mannered like Marjory. But this happy result had yet to be achieved.