“Hush, Joey, you mustn't say things like that. It's like swearing, dear.”
“I know it is, and I didn't mean to. Of course it's right, in meetin', and it kind of slipped out when I wasn't thinkin'. But I won't say any bad things, you needn't be afraid. Oh, I'll be as good! But look a'here, mother! Why can't you come, too?”
“And leave your little sister?” She smiled sadly.
“I didn't think of that. But couldn't Jane take care of her? She's always carryin' her around. And Uncle David could come here, and live with them. He wouldn't want to stay there without me, or no one.”
“It wouldn't do, Joey dear.”
“No,” the boy assented.
“You can go and tell Benny I said you might go, if his father will have you.”
“Oh, he will; he said so; Benny's ast him! And he said he'd take good care of us both.”
“I'm not afraid. You know how to take care of yourself. And, Joey—”
She stopped, and the boy prompted her, “What, mom?”