“Well, I will think about it, and if you will both be very good, we will go there to-day.”
“Oh!” said Budge. “We’ll be our very goodest. I’ll tell you what, Tod; we’ll have a Sunday-school right after breakbux; that’ll be good.”
“I know something gooder dan that,” said Toddie. “We’ll play Daniel in de lions’s den, and you be de king an’ take me out. Dat’ a good deal gooder dan dzust playin’ Sunday-school; ’caush takin’ folks away from awful bitey lions is a gooder fing dan dzust singin’ an’ prayin’, like they do in Sunday-school.”
“Another frightful fit of heterodoxy to be overcome, my dear,” observed Mr. Burton. “That dreadful child is committed to the doctrine of the superior efficacy of works over faith.”
“I shall tell him the story of Daniel correctly,” said Mrs. Burton, “and error will be sure to fly from the appearance of truth.”
Mr. Burton took his departure for the day, and while his wife busied herself in household management, the children discussed the etiquette of the promised visit.
“Tell you what, Tod,” said Budge, “we ought to take her presents, anyhow. That was one of the lovaly things about Jesus being a little baby once. You know those shepherds came an’ brought him lots of presents.”
“What letsh take her?” asked Toddie.
“Well,” said Budge, “the shepherds carried money and things that smelled sweet, so I guess that’s what we ought to do.”
“Aw wight,” said Toddie. “’Cept, houzh we goin’ to get ’em?”