" Josephine said
hers to herself, and Mark, who recollected Andrew and Julia, blushed
when he took his spoon to eat his soup.
After dinner, when they were out of the house, Josephine said to
Mark, "What a pity it is, brother, that papa does not pray before
each meal."
"All _that_ will come in time, Josephine," said Mark; "I never
prayed myself, and yet ... I must now begin directly. But what shall
I do? Papa will be very angry if he sees me religious."
"I do not think he will," said Josephine, "for I heard him say to
mumma, this morning, that he should be very glad if your conduct
improved."
Mark blushed, but did not reply. He returned to his work without
being desired to do so, and his father, who was quite astonished,
said to his wife, "There is something very extraordinary about Mark.
I wish it may last."
"You wish it may last!" said his wife; "how can you wish that, when
you do not care to improve yourself."
"And you, my poor wife," said the vinedresser, "do you care to
change any more than I do? I think as to that matter, we cannot say
much against each other."
"Well, at all events," said his wife, "I am not a drunkard.
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