AN EVENING AT HOME. 48

 

Helen looked perplexed at her mother's
last remark.

“Do you think father will be displeased
if I remain at home?” she asked.

‘“‘T think he will, unless you can satisfy
him that your reason for doing so is a very
good one. Nor shall I feel that you are
doing right. I wish all my children to act
under the government of a sound judg-
ment. Impulse, or reasons not to be spoken
of freely to their parents, should in no case
influence their actions.”

Helen sat thoughtful for more than a
minute, and then said, her eyes growing
dim as she spoke—

“T wish to stay at home for Edward’s
sake.”

“And why for his, my dear ?”

“ He doesn’t go to the ball, you know.”

“ Because he is too young, and too back-
ward. You couldn’t hire him to go there.
But, that is no reason why you should re-
main at home. You would never partake of
any social amusement were this always to