"I can _never_ part with my children," replied Ruth, in a voice which, though low, was perfectly clear and distinct.
"Perfect madness," said her father, rising and pacing the floor; "they will have a good home, enough to eat, drink, and wear, and be taught--"
"To disrespect their mother," said Ruth, in the same clear, low tone.
"Pshaw," said her father impatiently; "do you mean to let such a trifle as that stand in the way of their bread and butter? I'm poor, Ruth, or at least I _may_ be to-morrow, who knows? so you must not depend on me; I want you to consider that, before you refuse. Perhaps you expect to support them yourself; you can't do it, that's clear, and if you should refuse the doctor's offer, and then die and leave them, he wouldn't take them."
"Their _Father in Heaven_ will," said Ruth. "He says, 'Leave thy fatherless children with me.'"
"Perversion of Scripture, perversion of Scripture," said Mr. Ellet, foiled with his own weapons.
Ruth replied only with her tears, and a kiss on each little head, which had nestled up to her with an indistinct idea that she needed sympathy.
"It is of no use getting up a scene, it won't move me, Ruth," said Mr. Ellet, irritated by the sight of the weeping group before him, and the faint twinges of his own conscience; "the doctor _must_ take the children, there's nothing else left."
"Father," said Ruth, rising from her couch and standing before him; "my children are all I have left to love; in pity do not distress me by urging what I can never grant."
"As you make your bed, so lie in it," said Mr. Ellet, buttoning up his coat, and turning his back upon his daughter.
It was a sight to move the stoutest heart to see Ruth that night, kneeling by the side of those sleeping children, with upturned eyes, and clasped hands of entreaty, and lips from which no sound issued, though her heart was quivering with agony; and yet a pitying Eye looked down upon those orphaned sleepers, a pitying Ear bent low to list to the widow's voiceless prayer.
"Well, Mis. Hall, you have got your answer. Ruth won't part with the children," said the doctor, as he refolded Mr. Ellet's letter.
"I believe you have lived with me forty years, come last January, haven't you, doctor?" said his amiable spouse.