MRS. L. Well, dear nurse, how do you get on since you have moved into
your new cottage?
MARY. Oh! capitally, ma'am.
MRS. L. And your husband, big Peter--is he pleased and contented?
MARY. He is so, ma'am, as happy as a king! Daisy--that's our cow,
ma'am--has just given us a beautiful calf; we have fifty chickens,
twenty geese, and a good old pony who carries our vegetables to the
railroad station for the New York market. I thank God, and you who have
been so good to us.
MRS. L. Is big Peter industrious, and does he bring up Morris in the
right way?
MARY. Oh! thank God again for all his mercies. I am not proud; but my
boy is the best boy in the whole neighborhood, and so smart! he reads in
the biggest books; he does the most terrible long sums, almost like a
flash of lightning--his schoolmaster is astonished at his quickness; his
head is just as full as it can hold of learning, and his heart is just
as full of love for his father and mother. (_She falters, and the tears
rush into her eyes_).
MRS. L. (_very kindly_). I am delighted to hear this; he will always be
a comfort to you if he is so good now. But here he comes--he looks
distressed.