_Mark_.--(Still serious.)--"I have thought so much about it,
that I am determined to change my habits. Yes, Josephine, I think you
are right, and that, after all, religion is better than ridicule."

The conversation continued as it had commenced, and when Mark
returned home, he went up and kissed his mother, who was just laying
the table for dinner.

"What's the matter?" said she, with some surprise; "you seem in very
good spirits, today."

"Nothing is the matter, good mother, but that I wish to alter my
conduct," replied Mark, seriously.

"To alter your conduct," cried little Peter, as he looked up in his
brother's face, and began to titter.

"And you, too, little Peter," said Mark, "you must become good, also."

"What a funny idea," cried the child, laughing. "_What_ has
made you turn schoolmaster, all at once? and, pray, when am I to
begin?"

"We shall see by-and-bye," said Mark, kindly. "In the meantime, come
and help me to tend the cow."

"There is something behind all this!" said the mother and she
blushed to think that this change had not been occasioned by anything
she had said or done to him, herself.