"Who taught you to," she hesitated, "do it--that way?" she pursued, making believe to be but lightly interested. "The curate? Oh, my!" she exclaimed, immediately changing the thought. "Your mother's awful sleepy." She counterfeited a yawn. "I never kneel to--do it," she continued. In a sharp glance she saw the wonder clearing from his eyes, the beginnings of a smile appear about his lips; and she was emboldened to proceed. "Some kneels," she said, "and some doesn't. The curate, I suppose, kneels. That's his way. Now, _I_ don't. I was brought up--the other way. I wait till I get in bed to--say mine. When you was a baby," she rattled, "I used to--keep it up--for hours at a time. I just _love_ to--do it. In bed, you know. I guess you never seen me kneel, did you? But I think I will, after this, because you--do it--that way." His serenity was quite restored. Glad to learn that his mother knew the solace of prayer, he rolled back on the pillows. She tucked him in. "Now, watch me," she said. "And I," said he, "will pray all over again. In bed," he added; "because that's the way _you_ do it." She knelt. "In God's name!" she thought, as she inclined her bead, "what can I do? I've lost him. Oh, I've lost him.... What'll I do when he finds out? He'll not love me then. Love me!" she thought, bitterly. "He'll look at me like them people in the church. I can't stand it! I got to _do_ something.... It won't be long. They'll tell him--some one. And I can't do nothing to help it! But I _got_ to do something.... My God! I got to do something. I'll dress better than this. This foulard's a botch." New fashions in dress, in coiffures, multiplied in her mind. She was groping, according to her poor enlightenment. "The pompadour!" she mused, inspired, according to the inspiration of her kind. "It might suit my style. I'll try it.... But, oh, it won't do no good," she thought, despairing. "_It_ won't do no good.... I've lost him! Good God! I've lost my own child...." She rose. "It took you an awful long time," said the boy. "Yes," she answered, absently. "I'm the real thing. When I pray, I pray good and hard." [Illustration: Tailpiece to _Alienation_] [Illustration: Headpiece to _A Child's Prayer_] _A CHILD'S PRAYER_