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say he insisted on our obedience. Thinking as you think," Michael replied, am surprised you did not follow his example." "Well, my dear brother, I am convinced, and you may rely on my attention to what you say.' "Do, Fanny, for it involves important consequences." Thus they argued, and thus they always closed. Michael never insisted but when he knew he was really right, and Fanny always yielded, conscious that Michael never opposed without the deepest conviction of what he said, and if she had one mental reservation, it was only this, we shall see when my brother is a father: thus their little disputes ever ended, with an increase of love on both sides. Stephen, the judicious Stephen, much as he loved his Fanny, would say, Why now, 'tis a pity my wife should argue against her brother, for he's sure to know best." Reader, pardon this little peep at the internal politics of this happy family.

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Well, you seem very happy, Michael," said the fond father, "shall I leave you with that lady?" He looked at her, then looked round, and said, Stay a little with that lady." "Sweet, lovely creature," said Jemima, "the very image of his mother, all her delightful openness of countenance!" Ellen thought to her

self, "nothing can be more charming than my brother, and I think the boy is like him." So indeed he was, for he resembled both; but he had a peculiar cast of countenance which belonged to Fanny. It was not beauty, but something which went more to the heart, it seemed to say, what no human countenance can say, "I have no thought which seeks concealment," and though this cannot be, yet the mere semblance pleases us. If you please, Ma'am," said Stephen, "I must take my boy to see his grandmother. I fear she would be hurt if she did not see him soon."

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"True," said Mrs. Finch, "I'm sure I should. I think I think you had better take him."

It was a sweet walk, the young father with his lovely boy, and the fond aunt gazing on him, anticipating the pleasure of the grandmother and grandfather, nor did they overrate the joy their presence would occasion. The neat inmates of the Level Bit clustered eagerly around the newly arrived. Stephen's delight was not without check, for he saw time making inroads on the countenances of both his parents. It was four years since they had met, and the silent stealing of time's footsteps was visible to the eye of Stephen, and he could not help anticipating, when

the manly form of his father, and the feminine one of his mother, should be laid in the grave;-yet they shall rise to life and immortality"Thou art musing, boy," said his father, "thou art thinking there's one wanting, and so there is, but I suppose it couldn't be helped." "No, Father," said Stephen, and he was glad of this turn given to his thoughts, "Fanny couldn't leave baby, and it was too far to travel with such a young child." Yes, indeed," said his mother, "I should love to see her." "I am come to fetch you," said Stephen, "I will not be refused, my Fanny has set her heart on having her

mother."

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Stephen knew his mother's feelings, and that she needed this assurance, for circumstances had prevented those minute attentions which the rich are able to pay. Their obligations to Michael were great, and had not yet been all discharged, and they felt they had no right to be generous at his expense; therefore he was aware his mother might think he had been negligent, and his heart longed to explain to her and his father, which he took an early opportunity of doing. It was delightful intercourse, which this heart _explanation led to. "You have thought I forgot you,

my dear mother?"

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I, Stephen, never, no, never. There's a text in the scripture, My heart showeth me the wickedness of the ungodly,' and when I've been thinking of you, Stephen, my heart showeth me the love of my boy! Now, how could you suppose we expect any thing of you, young housekeepers like you!" Well, mother, I'm glad ye did me justice, for my heart has yearned after you. "I'm very glad to hear ye say so, my dear, though I never doubted it; and now I'll show ye something that pleased me greatly, though I could not take it, Stephen. When I came to put the boy to bed, pretty fellow, down dropped a small packet out of his night shift, I observed that it was pinned up very carefully, and when I came to look, it was directed, 'For my mother Meredith,' and when I opened it, it contained this two pound note, three half crowns, and a sovereign. Now the letter I shall keep, but for the money, I could not, my dear boy; we do not want it, I think it would be wicked to take it.' Pray let me see the note, my dear mother, for I knew nothing of this business." No, that's the beauty of the whole; oh, you're a lucky boy, Stephen!" "God has been very good

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to me, mother." "Indeed he has." Fanny's note ran thus:

My dear Mother,

These were gifts to Fanny Kemp when she married, and Fanny Meredith therefore has a right to dispose of them: they were laid by for purposes for which they never have been wanted, and I hope they will help you to come to Stephen and your own Fanny. Now the half crowns are for the boys, and the sovereign for Ellen Meredith.

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But I think its a shame to take it." "Now, dear mother, if it would really make you uneasy, lay it out at some future day for the children, but do not refuse Fanny." Well, my dear, I will do as you say: I think I may be safely guided by him; husband, what do you think?" Why I think I should not like to refuse that sweet young creature, because I believe its a pleasure to her to do us any kindness.' That it is father-Pray how does Ellen go on at the Valley?" "Why, my dear, very well, but there's been a very disagreeable thing happened lately; Poor Williamson, honest, excellent old creature." "Yes, that he is, I hope nothing has happened to him?" Nothing

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