“How do you know that? What did he say?”
“He didn’t say anything, but I have got so that I can tell when he is pleased.”
Saturday evening came, work was cleared up early, and preparation made for the Sabbath in accordance with the custom of our forefathers.
“This boy, husband, must not grow up among us like a heathen. He must go to meeting, and I must make him a good suit of clothes to go with.”
“He is farther removed from being a heathen if, as is reported of him, he will neither swear, lie nor steal, than some among ourselves who go to meeting every Sabbath and yet are guilty of all three. I intend that he shall not only go to meeting but to school as well.”
“I thought the only thing that made you ever think of getting a boy at all, was to have his help in the short days of winter, as the children have not time to do the chores before they go, and after they get home, from school.”
“True, but since I have learned that he is ignorant of everything that he ought to know, except what he learned by rote from the lips of that minister, I feel that it becomes my duty to send him to school. A boy who has made so good use of what he does know, in spite of poverty and persecution, certainly deserves to be further instructed.”
“Then I must teach him his letters. I never would send one of my own children to school till they knew their letters; I won’t him.”
“How will you ever get the time with all you have to do?”
“I’ll take the time, and Bertie can help me.”