[pygtk] how to remove a child from vbox?

[george young]

[pygtk-1.99.17, gtk+-2.2.4, python-2.3.3, x86 linux]

I have a gtk.VBox with as many as 800 children packed into it.
I want to remove one of the children.  I tried naively:

  del self.opsetbox.get_children[4]
and
  self.opsetbox.get_children[4].destroy()

and nothing happened. (I'm not surprised, just disappointed...)

How can I remove a particular child from the vbox?
I'm sure I could do:
  self.opsetbox.get_children[4].hide()

but after some inserts and deletes I'd have a nightmare of bookkeeping
to remember what's hidden.

-- George
-- 
"Are the gods not just?"  "Oh no, child.
What would become of us if they were?" (CSL)