There were three riotous and robust young brothers , whom it is unnecessary to describe except by stating that they were boys in the broadest sense of that delightful word . There was a feeble little sister , whose patient , suffering face demanded constant love and care to mitigate the weariness of a life of pain . And last , but not least by any means , there were two Irish ladies , who , with the best intentions imaginable , produced a universal state of topsy-turviness when left to themselves for a moment . But being very much in earnest about doing her duty , not because it was her duty , but as a means toward an end , Psyche fell to work with a will , hoping to serve both masters at once . So she might have done , perhaps , if flesh and blood had been as plastic as clay , but the live models were so exacting in their demands upon her time and strength , that the poor statues went to the wall . Sculpture and sewing , calls and crayons , Ruskin and receipt-books , did n't work well together , and poor Psyche found duties and desires desperately antagonistic . Take a day as a sample . `` The washing and ironing are well over , thank goodness , mother quiet , the boys out of the way , and May comfortable , so I 'll indulge myself in a blissful day after my own heart , '' Psyche said , as she shut herself into her little studio , and prepared to enjoy a few hours of hard study and happy day-dreams . With a book on her lap , and her own round white arm going through all manner of queer evolutions , she was placidly repeating , `` Deltoides , Biceps , Triceps , Pronator , Supinator , Palmanis , Flexor carpi ulnaris -- '' `` Here 's Flexis what-you-call-ums for you , '' interrupted a voice , which began in a shrill falsetto and ended in a gruff bass , as a flushed , dusty , long-legged boy burst in , with a bleeding hand obligingly extended for inspection . `` Mercy on us , Harry ! what have you done to yourself now ? Split your fingers with a cricket-ball again ? '' cried Psyche , as her arms went up and her book went down . `` I just thrashed one of the fellows because he got mad and said father was going to fail . '' `` O Harry , is he ? '' `` Of course he is n't ! It 's hard times for every one , but father will pull through all right . No use to try and explain it all ; girls ca n't understand business ; so you just tie me up , and do n't worry , '' was the characteristic reply of the young man , who , being three years her junior , of course treated the weaker vessel with lordly condescension . `` What a dreadful wound ! I hope nothing is broken , for I have n't studied the hand much yet , and may do mischief doing it up , '' said Psyche , examining the great grimy paw with tender solicitude .
`` Much good your biceps , and deltoids , and things do you , if you ca n't XXXXX up a little cut like that , '' squeaked the ungrateful hero .
Deltoides Irish Pronator Psyche day-dreams evolutions falsetto hours left right