But he is NOT a bad child , and it really seems to me that there must be some way of making him behave better if we only knew what it was . '' Salome 's monologue was cut short by the entrance of her sister Judith , holding Lionel Hezekiah by his chubby wrist with a determined grip . Judith Marsh was ten years older than Salome , and the two women were as different in appearance as night and day . Salome , in spite of her thirty-five years , looked almost girlish . She was small and pink and flower-like , with little rings of pale golden hair clustering all over her head in a most unspinster-like fashion , and her eyes were big and blue , and mild as a dove 's . Her face was perhaps a weak one , but it was very sweet and appealing . Judith Marsh was tall and dark , with a plain , tragic face and iron-gray hair . Her eyes were black and sombre , and every feature bespoke unyielding will and determination . Just now she looked , as Salome had said , `` angry clear through , '' and the baleful glances she cast on the small mortal she held would have withered a more hardened criminal than six happy-go-lucky years had made of Lionel Hezekiah . Lionel Hezekiah , whatever his shortcomings , did not look bad . Indeed , he was as engaging an urchin as ever beamed out on a jolly good world through a pair of big , velvet-brown eyes . He was chubby and firm-limbed , with a mop of beautiful golden curls , which were the despair of his heart and the pride and joy of Salome 's ; and his round face was usually a lurking-place for dimples and smiles and sunshine . But just now Lionel Hezekiah was under a blight ; he had been caught red-handed in guilt , and was feeling much ashamed of himself . He hung his head and squirmed his toes under the mournful reproach in Salome 's eyes . When Salome looked at him like that , Lionel Hezekiah always felt that he was paying more for his fun than it was worth . `` What do you suppose I caught him doing this time ? '' demanded Judith . `` I -- I do n't know , '' faltered Salome . `` Firing -- at -- a -- mark -- on -- the -- henhouse -- door -- with -- new-laid -- eggs , '' said Judith with measured distinctness . `` He has broken every egg that was laid to-day except three .
And as for the state of that henhouse door -- '' XXXXX paused , with an indignant gesture meant to convey that the state of the henhouse door must be left to Salome 's imagination , since the English language was not capable of depicting it .
Hezekiah Judith Marsh day dimples henhouse new-laid night urchin years