He began to grow weary of sitting still and silent, and creeping closer to his father whispered, "Papa, I'm tired, and I want to ask you something. Do you think the fish will hear if I speak low?" "Perhaps not; you may try it if you like," returned Mr. Travilla, looking somewhat amused. "Thank you, papa. Well, Herbert said nobody but a coward would be afraid to go on that bridge. Do you think he was right, papa?" "No, my boy; but if you had gone upon it to avoid being laughed at or called a coward, I should say you showed a great lack of true courage. He is a brave man or boy who dares to do right without regard to consequences." "But, papa, if you'd been there and said I might if I wanted to?" "Hardly a supposable case, my son." "Well, if I'd been a man and could do as I chose?" "Men have no more right to do as they please than boys; they must obey God. If his will is theirs, they may do as they please, just as you may if it is your pleasure to be good and obedient." "Papa, I don't understand. Does God say we must not go into dangerous places?" "He says, 'Thou shalt not kill;' we have no right to kill ourselves, or to run the risk of doing so merely for amusement or to be considered brave or dexterous." "But if somebody needs us to do it to save them from being hurt or killed, papa?" "Then it becomes quite a different matter: it is brave, generous, and right to risk our own life or limbs to save those of others." "Then I may do it, papa?" "Yes, my son; Jesus laid down his life to save others, and in all things he is to be our example." A hand was laid lightly on the shoulder of each, and a sweet voice said, "May my boy heed his father's instructions in this and in every thing else." "Wife!" Mr. Travilla said, turning to look up into the fair face bent over them. "Mamma, dear mamma, I do mean to," said Eddie. "Is it not time to go home?" she asked. "The little ones are growing weary." "Yes, the sun is getting low." In a few moments the whole party had reembarked; in less exuberant spirits than in the morning, yet perhaps not less happy: little disposed to talk, but with hearts filled with a quiet, peaceful content. Viamede was reached without accident, a bountiful supper awaiting them there partaken of with keen appetites, and the little ones went gladly to bed. Returning from the nursery to the drawing-room, Elsie found her namesake daughter sitting apart in a bay window, silently gazing out over the beautiful landscape sleeping in the moonlight. She looked up with a smile as her mother took a seat by her side and passed an arm about her waist. "Isn't it lovely, mamma? see how the waters of our lakelet shine in the moonbeams like molten silver! and the fields, the groves, the hills! how charming they look in the soft light." "Yes, darling: and that was what you were thinking of, sitting here alone?"