All day Saturday Mrs. Beaubien found excuses for keeping Therese close by her side, and Therese, though a little disappointed at losing her run in the pasture, yet rejoiced too much in her mother's unwonted mood of softness not to make the most of her opportunities.
"Does your grandfather ever say anything about your father?" asked Mrs. Beaubien at last.
Therese was astonished. She had never heard her mother mention her father before. She hesitated.
"Yes, I see," said her mother. "They have all tried to set you against him."
"No, indeed, mother," answered Therese, eagerly. "Grandfather told me to say a prayer for father whenever I said my prayers, and I always do."
"And was that all?"
"He said father was led away by bad company and by drink, and he made me promise never to touch a drop of drink."
"Keep that promise, whatever you do," said her mother, earnestly. "If grandfather had always been of that mind, things might have been very different with us."
"Grandfather said that too," observed Therese. "Mother, do you think I shall ever see my father?"
"No, child, never," answered Mrs. Beaubien; "and, Therese, you must never mention his name. Try to make a good name for yourself, so that every one may forget whose daughter you are. That is the best you can do for your poor father."