[Roger gets up and stands before the fire,
while the Mother sits down, Prudence
beside her with a corncob doll and Patience
at her knee, also knitting. Myles
sits with his back against the chimney and
Nathan lies at full length before the fire.
Roger [good-humoredly]. What a pity thee didn't name that child Impatience, Mother. It would become her so much better.
Mother [while Patience bends her face low over her knitting]. Does thee think it would make it any easier for her to be good, Roger?
Roger. Well, I'm glad thou gavest us good sober English names. I'm sure 'twould never help me to be good if I had been named Hate-Evil, like Elder Hopkins' son. Think of it—Hate-Evil Hopkins!
Myles. And if Father had called me Love-the-Truth or Have-Courage, instead of naming me after our fine Captain Standish, I know I never would have tried half so hard to be brave and truthful.
Mother. That was what Father cared for, Myles, whatever thy name might have been.
Roger. One of us is fitly named, at any rate, Mother, and that is thyself, Mistress Delight Goodspeede! [Bows.]
Patience. Yes, Mother is our Delight.
Myles. And everybody's else, too.
Mother [laughing]. Take care, children, you will make me vain, and then the parson will preach a whole sermon about vanity, and call out in the midst of it, "Delight Goodspeede, stand forth!"