"You have an admirable talent at moral suasion, Fleda," said the mother half smiling;--"I wish I had it."
"You don't need it so much here."
"Why not?"
"It may do very well for me, but I think not so well for you."
"Why?--what do you mean? I think it is the only way in the world to bring up children--the only way fit for rational beings to be guided."
Fleda smiled, though the faintest indication that lips could give, and shook her head,--ever so little.
"Why do you do that?--tell me."
"Because in my limited experience," said Fleda as she passed her fingers through the boy's dark locks of hair,--"in every household where 'moral suasion' has been the law, the children have been the administrators of it. Where is your husband?"
"I have lost him--years ago--" said Marion with a quick expressive glance towards the child. "I never lost what I at first thought I had, for I never had it. Do you understand?"
Fleda's eyes gave a sufficient answer.