But he was a kind, good-hearted boy, nevertheless. His temper was not
under control; but, after one of his fierce, volcanic bursts of
ill-humour, he would be acutely miserable and angry with himself for days,
particularly if the object of it had been Jim or Sam, his two especial
favourites. On one occasion, after a causeless fit of anger with Jim,
while the three were at Major Buckley's together, he got his pony and
rode away home, secretly speaking to no one. The other two lamented all
the afternoon that he had taken the matter so seriously, and were
debating even next morning going after him to propitiate him, when
Charles reappeared, having apparently quite recovered his temper, but
evidently bent upon something.
He had a bird, a white corrella, which could talk and whistle
surprisingly, probably, in fact, the most precious thing he owned. This
prodigy he had now brought back in a basket as a peace-offering, and
refused to be comforted, unless Jim accepted it as a present.
"But see, Charley," said Jim, "I was as much in the wrong as you were"
(which was not fact, for Jim was perfectly innocent).
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