"Well, boys, I have a most delightful plan for us to-day."
"What is it, what is it, Uncle Philip?"
"Why, I have a little voyage to make, and my boat is on the river just above the mill. I have the men there to row it, and every thing is ready."
"Oh! dear Uncle Philip, this is charming! we shall be so happy! But—but—"
"But what, boys?"
"Why, Uncle Philip, we have not asked leave at home. Now our parents are very happy to have us visit you, and say that they are very much obliged to you for telling us so many things; but they have told us, too, never to get into a boat without asking their permission first. Uncle Philip, we are sure they will let us go, if they know that you are going; only let us run home and ask them."
"My dear boys, I am very much pleased with your conduct; and, what is far better, my children, God is pleased; for he has commanded you to honour your father and mother: but you need not go home to ask permission, for you may depend upon it I would not take one of you upon the water without the consent of your parents: so I went yesterday, while you were all at school, and have got permission from your friends for every one of you to go—only I asked them to tell you nothing about it."
"Oh dear, Uncle Philip, you are so very, very good: thank you, thank you, a thousand times over."
"Once is enough, boys. There is but one Being who deserves a thousand thanks, and he, in truth, deserves a great many more than a thousand; but I fear that from a great many he is just the Being who gets the fewest,—it is our Heavenly Father: but come on, boys, let us be going to the boat. We shall soon reach her. Ah, yonder she is; I see her through the trees."
"Oh, what a beauty she is, Uncle Philip, with her green sides and white belt near the top. We shall have a charming voyage."