‘Mother, what shall I do?’ a child’s voice said. ‘Shall I sing?’
The mother seemed to assent, for the child began—
‘The robin has fled from the wood
To the snug habitation of man.’
This performance apparently attracted but little attention from the child’s companion, for the young voice suggested, as a new form of entertainment, ‘Shall I say my prayers?’
‘Yes,’ replied one whom Swithin had begun to recognize.
‘Who shall I pray for?’
No answer.
‘Who shall I pray for?’
‘Pray for father.’
‘But he is gone to heaven?’