Chapter VI: A Literary Enterprise

Whistler’s wounded finger—Threshing—A 89
dialogue wanted—A proposal—The
picnic—Declamation—Hunting for a
subject—Poor success—A new idea—The
dialogue completed—The story on which
it was founded—The quarrel—A
surprise—The master’s reproof—The
mutual flogging—Satisfaction—Forced
reconciliation—The “kiss of
peace”—Laughter and shame—Arrangements
for a rehearsal—Spouting Hollow—A talk
with Mr. Davenport about the
dialogue—He reads it—The boys’
suspense—His opinion of its literary
merits—His objections to it—The
fighting scene—Moral influence of such
spectacles—Difference between written
descriptions and stage performances of
obnoxious scenes—Errors of the
teacher—The general effect bad—Chagrin
and disappointment—An unguarded
remark—Whistler’s spirit
aroused—Another trial—A subject
found—The task finished—The rehearsal,