He had all
the restlessness of a boy, and lacked somewhat of Charley's steady
perseverance.
The elder brother was essentially of a practical disposition. He
took a lively interest in the affairs of the farm, and gave his
whole mind to it. If he went out shooting he did so to get game for
the table. He enjoyed the sport, and entered heartily into it, but
he did so in a business sort of way.
Hubert was a far more imaginative boy. He stuck to the work of the
farm as conscientiously as his brother did, but his attention was
by no means of the same concentrated kind. A new butterfly, an
uncommon insect, would be irresistible to him; and not
unfrequently, when he went out with his gun to procure some game
which Mr. Hardy had wanted upon the arrival of some unexpected
visitor, he would come back in a high state of triumph with some
curious little bird, which he had shot after a long chase, the
requirements of the household being altogether forgotten.
Maud was fifteen. Her constant out-of-door exercise had made her as
nimble and active as a young fawn. She loved to be out and about,
and her two hours of lessons with her mamma in the afternoon were a
grievous penance to her.
Ethel wanted three months of fourteen, and looked under twelve.
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