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,