A sad uneasiness within my heart.
I found but Christian meaning in the hymn;
Aye, I could say _amen_ to every line,
As to the breathings of my own poor prayer.
But let us talk no more. I'll to my bed.
Good-night, my children! Happy thoughts be yours
Till sleep arrive--then happy dreams till dawn!

_All_.

Father, good-night!

[ISRAEL _retires_.]

_Ruth_.

There, little boys and girls--
Off to the kitchen! Now there's fun for you.
Play blind-man's-buff until you break your heads;
And then sit down beside the roaring fire,
And with wild stories scare yourselves to death.
We'll all be out there, by and by. Meanwhile,
I'll try the cellar; and if David, here,
Will promise good behavior, he shall be
My candle-bearer, basket-bearer, and--
But no! The pitcher I will bear myself.
I'll never trust a pitcher to a man
Under this house, and--seventy years of age.

[_The children rush out of the room with a