"I should rather you would stay with me," was the answer.

"Then I will, mother!" and the tears remained where they were, and did
not chase each other down his plump cheeks. A trembling smile played
around his mouth; for he had conquered himself, and had readily
yielded to his mother's wishes. There had been a struggle, severe, but
short, in his mind, and when he said, "Then I will, mother," he meant
he could be happy to stay at home, and would not ask again for
permission to go with the other children. Mrs. Dudley could not resist
the impulse to clasp him to her heart, and tell him he was a good boy;
and this made him still happier. He saw he had pleased her, and her
approving smile was worth more to him than any enjoyment could be
without it.

Eddie, you know, is a little boy, five years old. He has brothers and
sisters older than himself, and they have fine sport in sliding and
skating. Their teacher takes them every day to enjoy it, and they come
home in high spirits, swinging their skates by their sides, and
talking loud and fast about it.

Eddie has watched them many days from the nursery window, and has
longed to be with them; but his careful mother has feared he would get
hurt among so many skaters, or perhaps be lost in one of those
"air-holes" which are often found in the most solid ice; so when Eddie
asked her if he might go to the river, she hesitated, for she did not
like to deny him. "Which would you _rather_ I would do?" then inquired
the dear boy; and when his mother told him, he did not tease her, but
resumed his place at the window.

Mrs. Dudley resolved to go herself with her little son to the river,