Mr. Soher, who sat near, did not join in the conversation. He professed to be a very religious man, but he rarely occupied himself about his household duties. His wife was just saying: "When one thinks that if that little brat of a girl had not been born, we should inherit all my brother's property," when the man rose from his chair. "I am going to the prayer-meeting," he said abruptly, and his puritanical form as suddenly left the room.
"Now, it is time for you to go to bed," said Mrs. Soher to her son, when her husband was gone.
"I don't want to go yet," replied Tommy.
"But you must go, and you will go now; I'll not listen to your nonsense; come, do your hear."
"Ah! let me stay a little longer, ma."
"No, not one moment; come along."
"Only one minute," pleaded the spoilt child.
"Bah! what do you want to stay for?" said his mother, re-seating herself.
The minute passed away, so did many other minutes, but Tom did not stir.
After again trying in vain the power of her pleadings and commands, the weak-minded mother took her son by the sleeve of his coat. "Come," she said, "to bed with you."