"There was great feasting in the hall that night, and the merriest company that you can well conceive. When the hour of rest came, the boy was led to a comfortable chamber, and left alone. What did he do first?" "Looked about him on his new lodging?" "Not at all." "Began to speculate," said Henry, "on what had happened." "Not at all." "Why, what did he then, grandpa?" "He knelt down and prayed, and thanked God for all his goodness toward him and his. "The countess had received the boy very cordially, and asked him many questions, for she thought the mother who had reared such a son must be a superior woman. George's answers delighted her; and after having given the highest praise, she had taken leave of him in the most gracious and affectionate manner. "When he had retired for the night, she addressed her son, young Conrad: "'I am very glad you are sensible of the worth and goodness of the lad who has saved your life. That wolf was very near giving us another and a different tale to tell. Your impatience and disobedience had nearly sent you to the grave, and plunged both your father and myself in the deepest woe. God, however, has preserved you, and directed all for the best. O that you in your smart doublet would imitate that boy in the fustian dress! O that you were less like your present self and more like him!' "Then she turned to her husband and said: "'I am now more convinced than ever, that the most essential thing for parents is to bring up their children in the fear and love of God, to make them submissive and respectful to their parents. Recollect the commandment, "Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee:" and the injunction, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right"—and not only so, but to teach them to be respectful, and kind, and generous to all their neighbors. "'To effect this, the first, the essential point, is to teach them to subdue and control their self-willed and unruly inclinations. The heart of the child is like the ploughed field: thorns and thistles must be torn out before it can produce fruitful corn. This is of equal necessity in all children, whether born under the thatch, or beneath the gilded dome; whether destined to hold the plough, the quill of office, or the sword.' "The countess was right, dear children, in all that she said. George would never have been the good lad that he was—for he was a good lad, and I do not wish to deny it—except it had been for the teachings of his mother. Under God, he owed it all to her. To her prayers, to her teachings, all that he did is to be traced—she had taught him industry, kindness, and a desire to help those who needed help, and above all other things, to look to God; and by God's blessing, he profited by her instruction. The good seed sown in his heart, sprung up to God's glory.