Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 3.djvu/65

Rh probable he will discover the loss of both, until the day is far advanced.

I am fully alive to the evils that may, and must result upon the step I am about to take; but I never waver in my resolution, because I never forget my son. It was only this morning—while I pursued my usual employment, he was sitting at my feet, quietly playing with the shreds of canvass I had thrown upon the carpet—but his mind was otherwise occupied, for, in a while, he looked up wistfully in my face, and gravely asked—

"Mamma, why are you wicked?"

"Who told you I was wicked, love?"

"Rachel."

"No Arthur, Rachel never said so, I am certain."

"Well then, it was papa," replied he thoughtfully. Then, after a reflective pause, he added, "At least, I'll tell you how it was I got to know: when I'm with papa, if I say mamma wants me, or mamma says I'm not to do something that