I am sure we'd rather stay here," said one of the children, as spokesman for the rest; and they all nestled closer round the hearth.
"But, my dears," said the parson, simply, "I want to talk alone with your mother.

However, if you like best to go and keep quiet in your own room, you may do so." "Or we can go into Susan's ?" "No," said the parson; "you must not disturb Susan." "She never used to care about being disturbed.

I wonder what's come to her ?" The parson made no rejoinder to this half-petulant question.

The children consulted together a moment, and resolved that the square, though so dull, was less dull than their own little attic.

That being decided, it was the mother's turn to address them.