nt of the action.

My readers must not suppose that I had no feeling, because I showed none
at my father's death; if they call to mind the humble position in which
I had always seen my father, who dared not even intrude upon the
presence of those with whom my mother and I were on familiar terms, and
that he was ordered about just like a servant by my mother, who set me
no example of fear or love for him, they will easily imagine that I felt
less for his death than I should have for that of Captain Bridgeman, or
many others with whom I was on intimate terms.

What did puzzle me was, that my mother should show so much feeling on
the occasion. I did not know the world then, and that decency required
a certain display of grief. Aunt Milly appeared to be very unconcerned
about it, although, occasionally, she was in deep thought. I put down
the paper as soon as I had read the despatch, and said to her, "Well, I
suppose I must go to school now, aunt?"

"Oh no, dear," replied she, "you can't go to school for a few days now--
it wouldn't be proper; you must remain at home and wait till you have
put on mourning."

"I'm glad of that, at all events," replied I; "I wonder where Captain
Delmar is, and why he don't send for me; I begin to hate school."

"I dare say it won't be long before you hear from him, dear," replied my
aunt; "stay here and mind the shop, while I go in to your mother."

If the truth was told, I am afraid that the death of Ben was a source of
congratulation to all parties who were then in the parlour. As for me,
I was very glad to have a few days' holiday, being perfectly indifferent
as to whether he was dead or alive.

When I went in I found them in consultation as to the mourning: my
mother did not, in the first place, wish to make any a parade about a
husband of whom she was ashamed; in the second, she did not like widow's
weeds, and the unbecoming cap. So it was decided, as Ben had been dead
six months, and if they had known it before they would have been in
mourning for him all that time, that half-mourning was all that was
requisite for them; and that, as for me, there was no reason for my
going into mourning at all.

Three days after the intelligence, my mother re-appeared in the shop;
the reason why she did not appear before was, that her dress was not
ready--she looked very pretty indeed in half-mourning, so did my Aunt
Milly; and the attentions of the marine corps, especially Captain
Bridge