To-morrow I must have a little talk with each of my children, and then I shall be ready for Arthur and his assistants.
"I want all my children near at hand in case of an unfavorable result and that I am able to say a few last words, bidding them all farewell." There was again a moment of silence, her father seeming too much overcome to speak; then she went on: "I think they must not be told to-night, that the two younger ones need know nothing of the danger till the morning of the operation.

I would spare them all the suffering of anticipation that I can; and were I but sure, quite sure, of going safely through it all, they should know nothing of it till afterward; but I cannot rob them of a few last words with their mother." "My darling! always unselfish, always thinking of others first!" Mr.
Dinsmore said, in moved tones, bending over her and pressing his lips again and again to her pale cheek and brow.
"Surely almost any mother would think of her children before herself," she returned with a sweet, sad smile.
But just at that instant childish footsteps were heard in the hall without, then a gentle rap on the door, and Walter's voice asking, "Mamma, may I come in ?" "Yes, my son," she answered, in cheerful tones, and in a moment he was at her side, asking, in some alarm and anxiety, "Mamma, dear, are you sick ?" bending over her as he spoke, and pressing ardent kisses upon cheek and lip and brow.
"Not very, mother's darling baby boy," she answered, lifting to his eyes full of tender mother love.
"'Baby boy ?'" repeated Walter, with a merry laugh, gently smoothing her hair, and patting her cheek lovingly, while he spoke.

"Mamma, dear, have you forgotten that I am eleven years old ?" "No, dear; but for all that you are still mother's dear, dear baby boy!" she said, hugging him close.
"Well, I shan't mind your calling me that, you dearest mamma," laughed Walter, repeating his caresses; "but nobody else must do it." "Not even grandpa ?" queried Mr.Dinsmore, with a proudly affectionate smile into the bright young face.
"I don't think you'd want to, grandpa," returned the lad, "because, you know, you're always telling me I must try to be a manly boy.

But I came up to remind you and mamma that it's time for prayers.

Grandma sent me to do so and to ask if you could both come down now." "You will not think of going down, Elsie ?" Mr.Dinsmore exclaimed in surprise, as his daughter made a movement as if to rise from her couch.
"Yes, papa," she returned.