“I thought that I heard mother say something about that very hole to-day,” observed George, with a little hesitation.
“Well, I suppose that I ought to run it up; but I do so detest mending.”
“I wish that I could help you, Lily; but I fear that my fingers are too clumsy. Here is an opportunity for you to begin to follow up your good resolutions. Here is something which you dislike to do; but then your doing it will give pleasure to mother. What is trouble to you will save trouble to her, and you will be so glad when the effort is made.”
“Must I put this by?” said Lily, looking sadly at her pen-wiper.
“For a while, dear—only for a while. I shall always look with more pleasure at my beautiful present when I remember that my Lily would not let her own will come before her duty and her love to her mother.”
The pen-wiper was replaced in the box, and I felt myself hastily run into the dress.
“I will sit beside you while you work,” said George, “and tell you a story to amuse you.”
“A story! a story!” exclaimed Eddy, running up to his brother in high glee at the word.
“Oh, Eddy! what have you been about?—pulling the horse-hair out of the chair!”
“He is always at some mischief,” said Lily.