“Yes,” assented his mother, “and we shall accomplish more in the end by taking needed rest; yet,” with a smiling glance at Herbert, “we must be on our guard against too much self-indulgence in that line.”
The young man colored and was silent for a moment, his face wearing a slightly mortified expression. “Mother dear,” he said presently, “I hope I have, in a measure at least, overcome my natural inclination to indolence.”
“My dear boy, I hope and believe so,” she said in return, “else you could hardly have passed so good an examination as you did.”
“Indeed, mother, he has been really a hard student,” Harold said, “and I think will undoubtedly show himself such when we begin our course of medicine.”
“I believe he will,” she responded with a loving smile into Herbert’s face and laying a hand tenderly upon his. “I hope to see you both eminent in your chosen profession and doing good to the bodies and souls of your fellow-men. I think there are few more useful men in the world than our cousin Arthur Conly, and few who are more loved and respected than he; we all love him and have great confidence in his skill.”
“I have respected and loved him ever since I can remember,” remarked Herbert feelingly, “and can never cease to feel grateful to him as God’s instrument in the saving of my mother’s life.”
“Yes,” she said, “I can never forget his kindness at that critical time in my life, and I believe we have all loved him even better since that than before.”
“I think you are right about that, mother; I know you are so far as I am concerned,” Harold said, tears starting to his eyes. “Ah, when we heard of the danger and suffering you had passed through, we both felt that life without our mother would scarcely be a blessing.”
Just then Rosie and Walter came in looking bright and happy.
“Ah, mamma, it is so delightful to have you at home again!” exclaimed the former.
“We missed you sadly, kind as everybody was to us,” added Walter, putting his arm round her neck and gazing with ardent affection into her eyes, then kissing her on cheek and lips.
“I suppose it was a little hard for my baby boy to do without his mother,” she returned laughingly, holding him in a close embrace.
“Ah, mamma, I can take that name from you easily enough, because I know it is only your pet name for your youngest son, but I’d be vexed enough if anybody else should call me a baby.”