OR, CLARENCE MORTIMER. 15

 

glass, and they took it with a relish that
showed they were already in danger of be-
coming drunkards, although they were such
young boys.

Then the boys all sang a patriotic song,
and then they might perhaps have gone into
fresh carousings if there had not been, just at
this moment, a gentle tap on the door.

‘¢ It’s mother, I do believe!” cried Clare,
in alarm. ‘* Hide the bottle! Here’s a
pretty go!” |

A pretty sure sign that Clare knew he was
committing a sin, that he was afraid to meet
his loving, indulgent mother.

That is one feature of sin throughout all
its history, that it tries to hide itself, and
trembles at the approach of goodness.. It
is the sin in our hearts, which puts us at a
distance from God, that loving Father, and, 7

on
ow