MORRIS. Here they are. Will you promise me one thing more?

EDWARD. What is it?

MORRIS. It is that you will love your father and mother dearly.

EDWARD. Yes, Morris; I will try.

MORRIS. And tell them every day that I shall never forget them; and when
I am a man, and you are too, you shall all come and live with me, and
you and I will have everything together, just like two brothers--will
you?

EDWARD. Yes, brother--(_Morris clasps him in his arms, and says_)--"Oh,
how happy you have made me!"

_Enter_ MRS. LANGDON, MR. SHERWOOD, _and_ MARY.

MRS. L. Ah! that is a pleasant sight. I am delighted to see you such
good friends. I wish you to love each other always.

MORRIS. I promise you we will, ma'am--I mean, mother. We are friends and
brothers from this day.

MRS. L. (_to_ EDWARD). All is ready for your departure, Morris. I would
like to have kept you for some days; but Mary says she must take you
with her. Be a good boy; respect and love your father and mother, and
help them in their work all you can. Remember me; and, be sure, I shall
never forget you.

EDWARD(_throwing himself at her feet, and weeping convulsively_).
Mamma--madam, grant me one favor, I implore. Oh! my heart is breaking.

MRS. L. (_with emotion_). What is it?

EDWARD. I cannot leave you. Keep me here, for pity's sake! I will be
your servant. I will wait on your son. I will obey him. I will obey
every one in the house. Let me stay!--oh! let me stay!

MORRIS (_kneeling by him_). Oh! since you are my mother, be his mother,
too! do not send him away. See! we ask it on our knees! You will have
two sons, and he shall be the best.

MRS. L. (_aside to_ MR. SHERWOOD). This is killing me. I cannot bear
it! I must speak! (_She covers her face, sobbing_).

_Enter_ ANDREW, JANE, _and_ PATRICK.

ANDREW. Mrs. Langdon, we come to make you an offer, which we beg you to
agree to, or else we shall all three feel obliged to quit your service.

MRS. L. Well--what is it, Andrew?

ANDREW. Well, ma'am, it is that you will keep this poor little fellow,
Morris, with you, and give us leave to treat him the same as Master
Edward; and as we do not want any one to lose by this, we offer to have
a third of our wages taken off, which you will please give to Mary and
big Peter every month, to make up to them for the loss of their son's
services.

EDWARD. Oh, my kind, generous friends! never will I forget this proof of
your love!