’An oath will do no harm, will it, Joe?’ asked the soldier, addressing the little boy, who sat staring in his face with wonder and admiration. ’A good oath clears the heart, as a cough relieves a choking throat, is it not so, Joe? or as a discharge of guns breaks a waterspout, eh?’ The little boy looked from his brother to his sister. It was characteristic of the condition of affairs in the house that he did not look to his father. ’I don’t know, brother Charles,’ answered he. ’Honor would not allow it, she says it is wicked.’ ’Oh, she!’ mocked the soldier. ’I suppose you are under petticoat government still, or have been. Never mind, Joe. Now that I am come home you shall take orders from me, and not from her.’ ’Joe,’ said Honor sternly, ’go at once to bed.’ ’He shall stay and hear the rest of the story. He shall hear how I lost my finger.’ The child hesitated. Then Honor said gravely, ’Joe, you will do that which you know to be right.’ At once the little boy slipped from his brother’s knee, ran to Honor, threw his arms round her neck, kissed her on both cheeks, and ran away, upstairs. ’So, so,’ said Charles, ’open war between us! Well, sister, you have begun early. We shall see who will obtain the victory.’ ’I don’t think Honor need fear a soldier who cuts off his finger to escape fighting,’ said Kate. ’What, you also in arms against me?’ exclaimed Charles, turning on the younger sister. ’You asked Joe if he were under petticoat government, and sneered at him for it; but you seem to be valiant only when fighting petticoats,’ retorted Kate. ’I’m in a wasp’s nest here,’ laughed Charles. ’Never mind Kate,’ said Oliver, ’she has a sharp tongue. Tell us further about your finger.’ ’I lost more than my finger—I lost prize money and a pension. As I told you, I was weary of the service, and wanted to get home. I thought I should do well with all the loot and prize-money, and if I were wounded also and incapacitated for service, I should have a pension as well; so I took off my finger with an axe, and tried to make believe I was hurt in action. But the surgeon would not allow it. I got into trouble and was discharged with the loss of my prize-money as a malingerer.’ ’You are not ashamed to tell us this?’ exclaimed Honor. ’It was a mistake,’ said Charles. ’We are ashamed to sit and listen to you,’ said Honor, with an indignant flash of her eyes, and with set brows. ’Come, Kate, let us to bed and leave him.’ ’Good night, malingerer,’ said Kate. *CHAPTER IX.* *CHARLES LUXMORE.* The next day was Sunday. Charles lay in bed, and did not appear to breakfast. Oliver Luxmore, Kate, and the younger children were dressed for church. Honor remained at home alternately with Kate on Sunday mornings to take care of Tempie, the youngest, and to cook the dinner. This was Honor’s morning at home.