“And Dick?” asked Mrs Thorogood, “wouldn’t you like to be one, too?”
“No, mother. It’s very grand, but I don’t like smoke. I’d rather be a lifeboat-man, to fight wi’ the storm, and save people from the roarin’ waves.”
Tom glanced at one of his toy ships, and said he’d like to fight the battles of his country on the sea. Bob looked affectionately at a wooden sword and gun which stood in a corner, and thought he’d prefer to fight his battles on the land.
“You’re all for fighting, I see,” chimed in soft-eyed Molly; “I wonder what little Jim would like to be, if he was awake.”
“I know what battles I would like to see him fighting,” said Mrs Thorogood.
“Why,” exclaimed the blacksmith in surprise, “I thought you hated fighting of all kinds?”
“No, not all kinds. I should like to see little Jim fighting the battle of the Prince of Peace.”
Of course there was a clamorous questioning as to what that meant, but we must not devote space to this subject. Neither can we afford to follow the history of each member of this family step by step. We will grow them up at once, and tell you what came of all their enthusiastic desires and lofty aspirations in succeeding chapters.
Only thus much will we say in conclusion; when the blacksmith said it was time to be off to bed that night, the children rose at once; gave and received a hearty kiss all round, and went off to “turn in,” as sailors express it, “with a will.” They had learned obedience—the most difficult lesson that man has got to learn—the lesson which few learn thoroughly, and which our Lord sets us as a test of our loyalty to Himself, when He says says,— “If ye love Me, keep My commandments.”