was the matter; and when we told
her, she said she thought it was not likely that mother would forget us.
And then she bade us take hold of her gown, one on each side, and she
would try to take us to mother, and the next thing was mother came in
sight. When the woman told her what we had said, they both laughed; and
mother told us it was impossible that she should leave us behind. I
asked Agnes afterwards why it was impossible; and she did not know; and
I am sure she was as glad as I was to see mother come in sight. If she
really never can forget us, what makes her remember us?"

Dale shook his head. He could not tell.

"Because," continued Hugh, "we can't do anything for anybody, and we
give a great deal of trouble. Mother sits up very late, sometimes till
near twelve, mending our things. There is that great basket of stockings
she has to mend, once a fortnight! And papa works very hard to got
money; and what a quantity he pays for our schooling, and our clothes,
and everything!"

"Everybody would think it very shameful if he did not," suggested Dale.
"If he let you go ragged and ignorant, it would be wicked."

"But why?" said Hugh, vehemently. "That is what I want to know. We are
not worth anything. We are nothing but trouble. Only think what so many
people did yesterday! My mother came a journey; and uncle and aunt Shaw
came: and mother sat up all night; and Mr. Tooke never went to bed,--and
all about me! I declare I can't think why."

Dale felt as if he knew why; but he could not explain it. Mrs. Proctor
had heard much of what they were saying. She had come in before closing
her letter to Mr. Proctor, to ask whether Hugh wished to send any
particular message home. As she listened, she was too sorry to feel
amused. She perceived that she could not have done her whole duty to her
children, if there could be such a question as this in their
hearts--such a question discussed between them, unknown to her. She
spoke now; and Hugh started, for he was not aware that she was in the
room.

She asked both the boys why they thought it was that before little birds
are fledged, the parent birds bring them food, as often as once in a
minute, all day long for some weeks. Perhaps no creatures can go through
harder work than this; and why do they do it? for unfledged birds, which
are capable of nothing whatever but clamouring for food, are as useless
little creatures as can be imagined. Why does the cat take care of her
littl