CHAPTER VIII.

THE VISIT.

AT the tea-table Lewis acted so very badly that his mother spoke angrily to him.

"Stop that, sir!" she exclaimed, when he stood in his chair to reach a dish of sweetmeats on the other side of the table, and upset a pitcher of cream into her lap. "Stop that; or I'll send for a sheriff and have you locked in jail."

"No, you wont either, you, ugly old woman," he retorted, lifting his hand to strike her in the face.

Mr. Corwin caught the hand, his own face being very stern.

Captain McIntire leaned back in his chair and laughed to hide his mortification.

"It's no use to try and hide it, Ady. You've spoiled that boy. He's only fit company for sailors. Come now, Lewis, are you not ashamed of yourself?"

Lewis had his mouth crammed with sweetmeats and did not answer.

Mrs. McIntire, having ordered Nancy to bring her a sponge and napkins, and having shaken as much of the rich cream as possible upon the handsome carpet, now turned again to her supper.

"What would you do with such a boy, Alice?" she asked. "I dare say you think you could manage him."

The lady looked so distressed, her husband answered for her. "If I could not make him obey me, I should send him to some one who could govern him, for if he goes on in this way, he will certainly be ruined."

"Nonsense, Mr. Corwin, he is only a child. You make too much of his spilling a few spoonfuls of cream."

From the supper-table they went into the parlor for prayers.

"Shall I bring Bessie down?" whispered mamma to her husband.

"No, certainly not."

Lewis ran instantly to the centre table where Mrs. Corwin had laid out all the pretty keepsakes given her on her marriage. She was very choice of them, and had never allowed even Bessie to touch them. One decided "No! No!" from her lips had taught her little girl to let them alone.

But now Lewis caught up one and then another, while Mr. Corwin was getting the Bible, his mother taking not the slightest notice of his conduct.

"Come here, Lewis," said Mr. Corwin. "I am going to read God's word."

"I wont."

His mother laughed behind her fan.

"You must be quiet while I read and pray."

The gentleman's look and tone awed the boy; and, walking awkwardly across the floor, he sank down into a chair, putting his fingers into his mouth.

"Do you sing, Ady, as much as you used to?" asked Mrs. Corwin when a chapter had been read.

"No, I don't sing at all now."

"We always sing at prayers," she added, seating herself at the piano.

Mr. Corwin read the beautiful hymn:

"There is a fountain, filled with blood;"

then passed the visitors books, which they declined, and joined with his wife in singing the verses of the hymn.

After this, they knelt for prayers, the visitors remaining in their seats.

Just before the prayer ended Mrs. Corwin heard a sharp sound, but did not turn her head until they arose.

Then she saw that an elegant little ornament lay on the floor broken in pieces.

Sick at heart, she turned from the room and went to the nursery.

Bessie ran to meet her, exclaiming:

"Please let me go downstairs. I'll be real good, mamma."

"You are good, my darling," cried mamma, pressing the astonished child again and again in her arms. "O nurse, how thankful I am that my children do not act so dreadfully! How thankful that I began in time to correct their faults! I never realized before what blessings I have—what a very, 'very' happy mother I am."

The tears which had been kept back now burst forth, and to Bessie's great sorrow, flowed down her mamma's cheeks.

There was a low knock at the door at this minute, and the lady said, in an excited tone:

"Don't unlock it, nurse, I can't see anybody!"

"Alice," said papa's voice.

The bolt flew back at once. "Where is Lewis?" asked the lady. "I'm afraid he'll break everything to pieces."

"Out doors, with his father and mother; and here is the key of the parlor door." He dropped it back in his pocket again with a faint smile.

"I'm afraid we made a mistake, Alice, in asking strangers to spend two or three weeks with us."

"It was all my fault," Mrs. Corwin exclaimed. "Oh, I am sorry, so sorry! How can Adeline allow her child to act so?"

The gentleman took little Junior on one knee and then held out his arm to Bessie. She ran and jumped on the other, laying her golden curls against Jamie's head on papa's breast.

"Precious treasures," he said. "You have little idea how much you owe God for giving you such a mother. A loving, Christian mother is above price." Then he took his wife's hand and said, cheerfully:—

"Come, my dear, we will make the best of it. Your old friend's visit has opened my eyes to the fact that the owner of Corwin's Nest is the happiest man in the world; that he has the very best mate and the prettiest birdlings to be found anywhere."

Smiles broke out all over the lady's face, but presently a kick at the parlor door reminded her of their unruly visitor, and she asked, anxiously:—

"What shall we do? I can endure the spoiling of everything in the house; but I cannot allow that boy to be with our children."

"Couldn't I take Bessie and the baby to mother's to-morrow for the day?" asked nurse. "They'll be safe there."

"Yes, that will do, for one day," said papa. "I don't think that our guests will stay long."

"Please go down and excuse me," urged mamma. "I have some alteration to make in the chambers."

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