I trust my son will never be ashamed to love his mother!' said Mrs.Graham, with a serious energy that startled the company.
My mother attempted to appease her by an explanation; but she seemed to think enough had been said on the subject, and abruptly turned the conversation.
'Just as I thought,' said I to myself: 'the lady's temper is none of the mildest, notwithstanding her sweet, pale face and lofty brow, where thought and suffering seem equally to have stamped their impress.' All this time I was seated at a table on the other side of the room, apparently immersed in the perusal of a volume of the _Farmer's Magazine_, which I happened to have been reading at the moment of our visitor's arrival; and, not choosing to be over civil, I had merely bowed as she entered, and continued my occupation as before.
In a little while, however, I was sensible that some one was approaching me, with a light, but slow and hesitating tread.

It was little Arthur, irresistibly attracted by my dog Sancho, that was lying at my feet.

On looking up I beheld him standing about two yards off, with his clear blue eyes wistfully gazing on the dog, transfixed to the spot, not by fear of the animal, but by a timid disinclination to approach its master.

A little encouragement, however, induced him to come forward.

The child, though shy, was not sullen.