146 THE COUSINS.

do wrong, my dear young fricnds, that we cannot
foresce all the evil consequences of any wrong
act. It will bring forth ever deeper and deeper
evil; evil in oursclves, evil in those to whom
we have done the wrong, and evil oftentimes in
those who only witnessed it. In this case, rude
and unkind as this boy was, he could not con-
ceive the hundredth part of the misery he in-
’ flicted on the sensitive Lucy, who dreaded ridicule
beyond all other suffering, nor could he form any
idea of the bitter, murderous passion which his
taunts had awakened. At first Lucy could not.
speak, but at length she cried out, in a voice
full of rage, “You are a coward—a mean coward!
I wish you would dare to come near me, that I
might strike you down!”
“Tucy!” said a calm, grave voice beside her.
As she turned, exclaiming, ‘‘Oh, papa, I am

so glad you have come!” the boys ran quickly
away. Mr. Lovett did not pursue them, for,
shocked by the expression he had overhcard frora
Lucy, he was occupicd wholly with her. With
a manner almost fiercely impetuous, she related

her grievances, looking up from time to time