next morning when I went down stairs, and in a pleasant cheerful
voice she enquired if I had slept well. I gave an evasive reply, for I
did not like to tell her what a restless, miserable night I had passed.
When the breakfast things were cleared away, my mother seated herself by
my side, and said: "Upon reflection, my son, I have decided that you had
best not return to Mr. Judson." These were joyful words to me, for I had
feared my mother would decide otherwise, and I had never disobeyed her,
but it would have been hard, _very_ hard for me to obey had she wished
me to return to my employer. Little Flora was, if possible, more pleased
than myself at the decision; with a low cry of joy, she threw her arms
around my neck, saying "Oh! Walter, I am _so_ glad that Mamma will not
send you back to that old man." Poor child, she had never before been
separated from her brother, and she had sadly missed her playmate during
the past year. "Although," continued my mother "you may not have been
free from blame, I think Mr. Judson acted very wrong. If, as I trust, is
the case, you have told me the truth, I consider you blameable in two
points only, first, in neglecting your work in the absence of your
employer, and, secondly, in allowing yourself to use disrespectful
language to him." While my mother was yet speaking, the door opened and
Farmer Judson entered the room, without the ceremony of knocking, and
began talking (as was his custom when angry) in a very loud and stormy
voice, "Pray be seated, Mr. Judson," said my mother, "and when you
become a little more composed I shall be pleased to listen to anything
you may wish to say." He did not take the proffered seat, but muttered
something about "people putting on airs," and turning sharply upon me,
he said, "I hain't got no more time to waste talkin, so get your hat and
come back to your work and no more about it." I did not move, but waited
for my mother to speak,--with a voice of much composure, she replied to
him, saying: "I have decided, Mr. Judson, that Walter had best not
return to you. Till last evening I have never from him heard the first
word of complaint;" in a straight forward manner she then repeated what
I had said upon my return home. "My son informs me," added my mother,
"that in more than one instance he has endured blows from you, and for
very little cause; had I before been aware of this he should have left
you at once; for my boy is not a slave to be driven with t