Elijah laughed lightly. "Well housework isn't all that bad when you live alone. It helps me clear my mind to clean sometimes. But I hope you marry for more than a free maid." He smiled certain that none of Ben's kids would be like that.

"No." said the boy. "Also to have children."

Elijah looked at him confused. "But also because you would love the woman you meet, right? I hope you wouldn't use the woman for cleaning and cooking and giving you children."

Will frowned. "Yeah, but girls are annoying."

Elijah shrugged and smiled. "You should grow out of that. But if not, don't worry about marrying. You'll be fine, I promise. I don't want you in an unhappy marriage because you felt like you had to do it."

Will thought. "I think girls are probably gonna be nicer when they grow up."

Elijah nodded as he finished cleaning the floor and started on the dishes. "I think children mature and get a better understanding of what others are thinking. It makes them more sincerely sympathetic. Some never grow out of it though."

Will frowned, not sure what Elijah was saying. "Yeah." he said.

Elijah looked over and smiled. "Get ready for bed. I'll be retiring soon after I finish dishes. You need good sleep since you have a lot to do."

Will nodded. He went to the bedroom, knelt by the bedside and said his prayers. Then he climbed into the bed, put an arm around his sleeping brother, and pulled the blanket over them.