"Well, son?"
"Mamma, will you be angry if I say my thought?"
"I think not: let me hear it."
"Mamma, isn't—isn't it your will this time? About the lessons I mean.
Please mamma, don't think I want to be naughty, asking it?"
She drew him closer, and bending down pressed her lips to his forehead. "No, my son, you want it explained, and I am glad you told me your thought. Yes, it is my will this time, but as God bids children honor and obey their parents, is it not his will also?"
"I s'pose so, mamma. But I wish it didn't be your will to have me learn lessons to-day."
Elsie was forced to smile in spite of herself. With another slight caress she asked, "Do you think I love you, Eddie?"
"Oh yes, yes mamma, I know you do, and I love you too: indeed I do dearly, dearly!" he burst out, throwing his arms about her neck. "And I know you just want to make me good and happy and that your way's always best. So I won't be naughty any more."
At that there was a general exclamation of delight from the other three, who had been silent, but deeply interested listeners, and all crowded round mamma vying with each other in bestowing upon her tender caresses and words of love.
Each had felt more or less disinclination for the regular routine of work, but that vanished now, and they went through their allotted tasks with more than usual spirit and determination.