Part 12 (2/2)
”Yes, we are very sorry--and--I eat a chocolate cream--but Mervyn didn't because it was mean,” cried Bunny, and then, overcome with grief, she buried her face in her pinafore and sobbed aloud.
”I cannot tell you how much surprised and shocked I feel at such conduct,” said Miss Kerr gravely. ”I really thought I could trust you for a few minutes alone. Mervyn, I am very much grieved to think that you could behave in such a naughty way. Bunny is wild and giddy, but I thought you were going to show her a good example, by being good and gentle yourself.”
”Yes, and I wanted to,” said Mervyn, ”but she called me names and then I got cross, and then--I--”
”Yes, and I got cross too,” cried Bunny, putting down her pinafore for a minute. ”I was angry and--”
”And I am afraid you both forgot that G.o.d was looking at you, and that he was greatly displeased at you for giving way to your wicked pa.s.sions in such a manner. How did you come to be so naughty?
Mervyn, what began it all?”
The tears were rolling down the little boy's cheeks, but he dried them with his handkerchief, and choking back those that were still ready to flow, he tried to tell the story of the torn chocolate box as well as he could.
”Well, I am glad you have told me all about it,” said Miss Kerr, gently, ”and as you both seem so sorry for your conduct, I suppose I must forgive you. But remember, dear children, that you must tell G.o.d that you are sorry, and ask him to forgive you. Pray to Him that he may help you to overcome your tempers and become good, gentle little children. I will not scold you any more, and you have punished yourselves by breaking the box and spilling the sweetmeats, for now I cannot allow you to have any of them.”
”Oh, I don't mind that!” cried Mervyn quickly. ”If you will forgive me for being naughty, I don't want any sweets.”
”I do forgive you, Mervyn, but don't forget what I told you. Say a prayer to-night before you go to bed and ask G.o.d's forgiveness and help.”
”Yes, I will, I will,” cried the boy, ”and I will try and be ever so good all day to make up for being so naughty this morning.”
”And I'll be good too,” said Bunny; ”I am sorry you won't give us any sweets, for they look so nice, but still I--”
”You won't ask for any! That is right, dear. I know you like sweets, Bun, but I must punish you a little, you know, so I can't give you any to-day. Come, now, I forgive you both, so let us go back to our lessons at once; and I hope you will do your best to show me that you are truly sorry, by working very hard for the next two hours.”
”Yes, yes, we will, indeed,” cried the children together, and off they ran to get their books.
”That is right! That looks like real work,” said Miss Kerr, as she wrapped up the chocolate creams in paper, and locked them away in a drawer. ”Come, Bunny, bring your book to me, dear.”
Bunny opened her spelling-book briskly, Mervyn began to read his lesson attentively, and perfect peace reigned once more.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Chapter decoration.]
CHAPTER X.
ON OLIVER'S MOUNT.
The lessons were over about half-past one, and as they had been well learned and quickly said, Miss Kerr was really pleased with the children, and rewarded them for their industry and attention by reading a pretty story, that interested and amused them very much.
This kept them pleasantly occupied until nearly two o'clock, and then they ran off to the nursery in high spirits, to get themselves washed and dressed for their early dinner.
”I am so sorry, Miss Kerr,” said Bunny, as she took her seat at the dinner-table, ”I'm really dreadfully sorry that nice boy we saw yesterday has not come to have lunch with us as he promised he would.”
”Yes, dear, so am I, for I should like very much to see him,”
answered Miss Kerr, ”but I daresay the rain kept him from coming.”
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