ough him;
Nor will they wait: the passage of an hour
May find me gone.--Stay; there is yet one son.

_Mrs. Arnold_. No, Benedict, you have described them all.

_Arnold_. Ay, but there is one, born in Canada,
My natural son, whose mother is no more;
And yet my son,--and brother to the rest,
And ever at my cost I've brought him up.
I cannot leave him out. He is of age
And elder than your boys.

_Mrs. Arnold_. A son of yours--

_Arnold_. A natural son of mine, whose bringing up
Is at my charge. I cannot cut him off.
Though of my name I scanted him the curse,
I ever sent him help.

[_Gives her a paper._]

_Mrs. Arnold_. You have done right
To count him in; and I accept him,
And will provide a portion like the rest
Though at my children's cost.

_Arnold_. Send William here:
The time grows short.

[_Enter servant bringing the sword which_ Mrs. Arnold _takes and gives
to_ Arnold.]

_Mrs. Arnold_. [_To servant._] Send Master William here.

[_Exit servant. Enter_ William Arnold, _a boy of eight._]

_Arnold_. William, you are a soldier:--
This old sword
Was once your brother Ben's,--my eldest boy.
He served his God, his Country, and his King,
And found a soldier's death. It is a record
We may be proud of in the family.
You and your brothers, Edward, George, and Robert,
Are dedicated soldiers to the King.
England, to all of you, is generous
To overflowing: See ye pay her back
In overflowing measure with your lives.
You are a soldier, Sir, and understand
The duties of a soldier; when you grow
A little older you will read, perhaps,
Something about your father; for his name
Is written on a page of history;
You cannot miss it. When you find it there,
Remember only all the soldier part;
The soldier part he leaves you: all the rest
Was something suffered, that was meant for him
But not for you. There, go my boy; good-bye.
You must to all your brothers tell this news,
And say I blessed them. They will understand,
Each in his measure, on the appointed day,
My message to them. See you bear it safe.
It is a charge of honor and becomes you.

[Arnold _kisses the little boy, and gives him the sword with which he
walks toward the door. The child feels that something very serious is
happening, although he does not entirely understand it. When near the
door he turns, runs back and embrac