MARTHA FINLEY Ultimate Collection – Timeless Children Classics & Other Novels. Finley Martha

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СКАЧАТЬ their father; but he does not agree with me, and I have not sufficient firmness to carry out the reform by myself."

      "No, I like to see them enjoy themselves, and whatever I have, I want my children to have, too," said Mr. Allison, bluntly.

      "It would seem the kindest treatment at first sight, but I don't think it is in the end," replied Mr. Dinsmore. "To buy present enjoyment at the expense of an enfeebled constitution is paying much too dear for it, I think."

      "Ah! young people are full of notions," said the elder gentleman, shaking his head wisely, "and are very apt to be much more strict with the first child than with any of the rest. You are bringing this one up by rule, I see; but mark my words: if you live to be the father of as many as I have, you will grow less and less strict with each one, until you will be ready to spoil the youngest completely."

      "I hope not, sir; I am very sure I could not possibly love another better than I do this," Mr. Dinsmore said with a smile, and coloring slightly, too; then adroitly changed the subject by a remark addressed to Edward.

      Immediately after tea the whole family adjourned to the sitting-room, the servants were called in, and Mr. Allison read a portion of Scripture and prayed; afterwards remarking to Mr. Dinsmore that it was his custom to attend to this duty early in the evening, that the younger children might have the benefit of it without being kept up too late.

      Mr. Dinsmore expressed his approval, adding that it was his plan also.

      "Papa," whispered Elsie, who was close to him, "I am to sleep with Sophy."

      "Ah! that will be very pleasant for you," he said, "but you must be a good girl, and not give any unnecessary trouble."

      "I will try, papa. There, Sophy is calling me; may I go to her?"

      "Certainly;" and he released her hand, which he had been holding in his.

      "I want to show you my garden," said Sophy, whom Elsie found in the hall; and she led the way out through a back door which opened into a garden now gay with spring flowers and early roses.

      Sophy pointed out the corner which was her especial property, and exhibited her plants and flowers with a great deal of honest pride.

      "I planted every one of them myself," she said. "Harold dug up the ground for me, and I did all the rest, I work an hour every morning pulling up the weeds and watering the flowers."

      "Oh? won't you let me help you while I am here?" asked Elsie, eagerly.

      "Why, yes, if you like, and your papa won't mind I think it would be real fun. But he's very strict, isn't he, Elsie? I feel quite afraid of him."

      "Yes, he is strict, but he is very kind, too."

      "Let's go in now," said Sophy; "I've got a beautiful picture-book that I want to show you; and to-morrow's Sunday, you know, so if you don't see it to-night, you'll have to wait till Monday, because it isn't a Sunday book."

      "What time is it?" asked Elsie. "I always have to go to bed at half-past eight."

      "I don't know," said Sophy, "but we'll look at the clock in the dining-room," and she ran in, closely followed by her little guest.

      "Just eight! we've only got half an hour; so come along. But won't your papa let you stay up longer?"

      "No," Elsie answered in a very decided tone; and they hurried to the parlor, where they seated themselves in a corner, and were soon eagerly discussing the pictures in Sophy's book.

      They had just finished, and Sophy was beginning a very animated description of a child's party she had attended a short time before, when Elsie, who had been anxiously watching her father for the last five minutes, saw him take out his watch and look at her.

      "There, Sophy," she said, rising, "I know papa means it is time for me to go to bed."

      "Oh, just wait one minute!"

      But Elsie was already half way across the room.

      "It is your bedtime, daughter," said Mr. Dinsmore, smiling affectionately on her.

      "Yes, papa; good-night," and she held up her face for the accustomed kiss.

      "Good-night, daughter," he replied, bestowing the caress. Then laying his hand gently on her head, he said softly, "God bless and keep my little one."

      Rose, who was seated on the sofa beside him, drew Elsie to her, saying, "I must have a kiss, too, darling."

      "Now go, daughter," said Mr. Dinsmore, as Rose released her from her embrace, "go to bed as soon as you can, and don't lie awake talking."

      "Mayn't I talk at all, after I go to bed, papa?"

      "No, not at all."

      Seeing that Elsie was really going, Sophy had put away her book, and was now ready to accompany her. She was quite a talker, and rattled on very fast until she saw Elsie take out her Bible; but then became perfectly quiet until Elsie was through with her devotions, and Chloe had come to prepare her for bed. Then she began chatting again in her lively way, Elsie answering very pleasantly until she was just ready to step into bed, when she said gently, "Sophy, papa said, before I came up, that I must not talk at all after I got into bed, so please don't be vexed if I don't answer you, because you know I must obey my father."

      "Pshaw! how provoking. I thought we were going to have such a good time, and I've got ever so much to say to you."

      "I'm just as sorry as you are, Sophy, but I can't disobey papa."

      "He'd never know it," suggested Sophy in a voice scarcely above a whisper.

      Elsie started with astonishment to hear Miss Rose's sister speaking thus.

      "Oh, Sophy! you can't mean to advise me to deceive and disobey my father?" she said. "God would know it, and papa would soon know it, too, for I could never look him in the face again until I had confessed it."

      Sophy blushed deeply. "I didn't think about its being deceitful. But would your papa punish you for such a little thing?"

      "Papa says disobedience is never a little thing, and he always punishes me when I disobey him; but I wouldn't care so much for that, as for knowing that I had grieved him so; because I love my papa very dearly. But I must not talk any more; so good-night;" and she climbed into bed, laid her head on the pillow, and in a very few moments was fast asleep.

      Chapter XVI

       Table of Contents

      "Hail, Holy Day! the blessing from above

       Brightens thy presence like a smile of love,

       Smoothing, like oil upon a stormy sea,

       The roughest waves of human destiny—

       Cheering the good, and to the poor oppresse'd

       Bearing the promise of their heavenly rest."

      MRS. HALE'S PRIME OF LIFE.

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