, and that you now quarrel with
Margaret's affection for our child."

"Ah why, indeed, Edward?" she replied, humbly. "Why, but that I am
unworthy that such an one as Margaret should love me and my child."

"Enough, enough. I only want to show you how I regard the case about
this new love of Margaret's. Do you not see how much happier she has
been since this little fellow was born?"

"Oh, yes."

"One may now fancy that she may be gay again. Let us remember what an
oppressed heart she had, and what it must be to her to have a new
object, so innocent and unconscious as this child, to lavish her
affection upon. Do not let us grudge her the consolation, or poison the
pleasure of this fresh interest."

"I am afraid it is done," cried Hester, in great distress. "I was
wicked--I was more cruel than any of our enemies, when I said what I
did. I may well bear with them; for, God knows, I am at times no better
than they. I have robbed my Margaret of her only comfort--spoiled her
only pleasure."

"No, no. Here she comes. Look at her."

Margaret's face was indeed serene, and she made as light of the matter
as she could, when Hester implored that she would pardon her hasty and
cruel words, and that she would show her forgiveness by continuing to
cherish the child. He must not begin to suffer already for his mother's
faults, Hester said. There could be no doubt of Margaret's forgiveness,
nor of her forgetfulness of what had been said, as far as forgetfulness
was possible. But the worst of such sayings is, that they carry in them
that which prevents their being ever quite forgotten. Hester had
effectually established a constraint in her sister's intercourse with
the baby, and imposed upon Margaret the incessant care of scrupulously
adjusting the claims of the mother and the child. The evils arising
from faulty temper may be borne, may be concealed, but can never be
fully repaired. Happy they whose part it is to endure and to conceal,
rather than to inflict, and to strive uselessly to repair!

Margaret's part was the easiest of the three, as they sat at the table--
she with the baby in her arms, and all agreeing that the time was come
for an explanation with Morris--for depending on themselves for almost
all the work of the house.

"Come, Morris," said Hester, when the cloth was removed; "you must spare
us half-an-hour. We want to consult with you. Come and sit down."

Morris came, with a foreboding heart.