ate to
risk exposure to their influence with impunity. We must defer the
enjoyment of your hospitality till the return of longer days and warmer
nights.'

Rose, now, at a hint from my mother, produced a decanter of wine, with
accompaniments of glasses and cake, from the cupboard and the oak
sideboard, and the refreshment was duly presented to the guests. They
both partook of the cake, but obstinately refused the wine, in spite of
their hostess's hospitable attempts to force it upon them. Arthur,
especially shrank from the ruby nectar as if in terror and disgust, and
was ready to cry when urged to take it.

'Never mind, Arthur,' said his mamma; 'Mrs. Markham thinks it will do you
good, as you were tired with your walk; but she will not oblige you to
take it!--I daresay you will do very well without. He detests the very
sight of wine,' she added, 'and the smell of it almost makes him sick. I
have been accustomed to make him swallow a little wine or weak
spirits-and-water, by way of medicine, when he was sick, and, in fact, I
have done what I could to make him hate them.'

Everybody laughed, except the young widow and her son.

'Well, Mrs. Graham,' said my mother, wiping the tears of merriment from
her bright blue eyes--'well, you surprise me! I really gave you credit
for having more sense.--The poor child will be the veriest milksop that
ever was sopped! Only think what a man you will make of him, if you
persist in--'

'I think it a very excellent plan,' interrupted Mrs. Graham, with
imperturbable gravity. 'By that means I hope to save him from one
degrading vice at least. I wish I could render the incentives to every
other equally innoxious in his case.'

'But by such means,' said I, 'you will never render him virtuous.--What
is it that constitutes virtue, Mrs. Graham? Is it the circumstance of
being able and willing to resist temptation; or that of having no
temptations to resist?--Is he a strong man that overcomes great obstacles
and performs surprising achievements, though by dint of great muscular
exertion, and at the risk of some subsequent fatigue, or he that sits in
his chair all day, with nothing to do more laborious than stirring the
fire, and carrying his food to his mouth? If you would have your son to
walk honourably through the world, you must not attempt to clear the
stones from his path, but teach him to walk firmly over them--not insist
upon leading him by the hand, but let him learn to