It was your bedtime long ago." No questions or supplications helped now, and soon the house was silent, except for the mother's quiet steps as she once more visited the children's beds.

Her eldest, who could become so violent, lay before her with a peaceful expression on his clear brow.

She knew how high his standard of honor was, but how would he end if his unfortunate trait gained more ascendancy over him?
Soon she would be obliged to send him away, and how could she hope for a loving influence in strange surroundings, which was the only thing to quiet him?
The mother knew that she had not the power to keep her children from pain and sin, but she knew the hand which leads and steadies all children that are entrusted to it, that can guard and save where no mother's hand or love can avail.
She went with folded hands from one bed to the other, surrendering her children to their Father's protection in Heaven.

He knew best how much they were in need of His loving care..