“It is pretty cold this morning; can you bear the cold long enough to dress yourself?”
“But, father, I need not stay here; I can take up my clothes and run down into the parlor, and dress me there by the fire.”
“No, it is not proper for any body to go to the parlor till they are dressed. Besides, perhaps the fire is not built yet.”
By this time, Charles’ nose had become pretty cold; so he said, “Well, I believe I will wait;” and he drew his head under the bedclothes again.
In a few minutes he became warm again, and thought that it would not be very cold if he should get up, and that if it was, he should not mind it. He looked out a second time, and said,
“Father, do you think I should have time to dress me before you get ready to go down stairs?”
“I think you will, if you are quick.”
“Do you think I could help you any in building the fire?”
“Yes, you might hand me the wood and carry out the ashes, and after the fire is built, you might sweep up the hearth.”
“Then I will get up,” said Charles; and he sprang out of bed, and began to dress himself.