“Well, she has her reward. I really think she has done wonders, as well as you. And now I think I smell a cup of tea. If your supper is ready, Miss Housekeeper, I should be pleased to eat it.”
They had not been allowed to enter the dining-room before. Bonny had prepared her table and then locked the door. She wanted that room, next to the mother’s the most cheerful room in the house, to be a surprise to them; and she now opened the door with a flourish of arms, then stood back to enjoy the look of pleasure she was sure her mother’s face would show.
“Oh, how pretty! My dear, you have kept the best to the last. And this will be our living-room, our ‘home’ room; and as we break bread together in it for the first time, let us each resolve that into this room, whatever of sorrow may come, there shall never come an angry word or an unloving thought. Three times each day, God willing, we will gather here in peace.”
“Then let’s call it the ‘peace-room’ Motherkin!” cried “Humpty-Dumpty,” touched for almost the first time in his life to a bit of sentiment by the sweet solemnity of his mother’s face.
“Good for you, small sir! It’s a compact! Your hand upon it, little brother! And whenever you get into a scrape, if ever such an unheard-of thing should happen, remember this room shall be a retreat where you will be safe. I, too; and between us—”
“It will not be often unoccupied!” said Belle, saucily, and moved her mother’s chair to its place.
“What a great, big fireplace! And ain’t it wicked to burn so much wood, Roland? Must ’a’ cost a heap!” remarked Bob, leaning his head on his hands, and gazing reflectively into the bright wood fire which flamed on the hearth.
He had voiced his mother’s own thought, and she looked toward the elder son for explanation.
“No, Bob; it cost nothing but a little labor. That fire is made of driftwood which washed up on our own land. I dragged it to the wood-house and cut it up myself. Of course, Mr. Brook had a hand in the business, as he has in all this good fortune. He lent me his saw and axe; and I am to keep them till I can buy some of my own. Think of having anybody lend you anything! It is a new experience for us.”
“We do not want to become borrowers, on the strength of it, more than is necessary, my dear,” said Mrs. Beckwith.