“O mother!” exclaimed Frank, “I have forgotten them entirely! I promised father to study them this evening. I am very sorry; but I will get up very early in the morning, and study them before breakfast. Will that do, mother?”
“It would do, Frank, if you could be sure that you would rise early, and that nothing would take your attention from your lessons. But it is very dangerous to delay the performance of any duty until the last moment. Perhaps there is time to look over at least one lesson before you go to bed.”
“I am pretty sleepy, mother,” replied Frank, yawning. “I do not think I could understand the lessons. But I will be sure to get them in the morning.”
“I hope nothing will prevent you, my son; and so now kiss me a good-night, and go to your own room.”
“Will you come down stairs to-morrow, mother?” asked Clara, as she affectionately twined her arms around her mother’s neck, and gave her a good-night kiss.
“Yes, dear, if I feel pretty well I think I shall come down to breakfast.”
The children clapped their hands with delight, and joyfully went to their own rooms.
Frank’s sleeping-room was on the west side of the house, and it was not very light there early in the morning. The clock was just striking when Frank awoke the next morning.
“That’s right!” he exclaimed, “just six o’clock. I knew I should have time to learn my lessons before breakfast.”
But, to Frank’s great astonishment, the clock gave another stroke after he had counted six.