"Children," said she, "have you said your prayers?"
"No," said Budge; "somebody's got to be knocked down first. Then we will."
A sudden tumble by Toddie was the signal for devotional exercises, and both boys knelt beside the bed.
"Now, darlings," said Mrs. Burton, "you have made some sad mistakes to-day, and they should teach you that, even when you want most to do right, you need to be helped by somebody better. Don't you think so?"
"I do," said Budge. "Lots."
"I don't," said Toddie. "More help I getsh, the worse fings is. Guesh I'll do fings all alone affer thish."
"I know what to say to the Lord to-night, Aunt Alice," said Budge.
"Dear little boy," said Mrs. Burton, "go on."
"Dear Lord," said Budge, "we do have the awfullest times when we try to make other folks happy. Do, please, Lord—please teach big folks how hard little folks have to think before they do things for 'em. An' make 'em understand little folks every way better than they do, so that they don't make little folks unhappy when they try to make big folks feel jolly. Make big folks have to think as hard as little folks do, for Christ's sake—Amen! Oh, yes, an' bless dear mamma an' the sweet little sister baby. How's that, Aunt Alice?"
Mrs. Burton did not reply, and Budge, on turning, saw only her departing figure, while Toddie remarked: