fom hears about the Martyrs. 107

“No,” said he, looking at her; “I’m dif-
ferent—-quite different, you see.”

“But you must begin to be like them at
once, said she, gravely. “The first time of
trying is always hard, but the second will be
easier, and the third easier still, and at last
you will even come to wish it yourself, with-
out being asked by anybody.”

Tom thought in his heart, “No, never ;”
but he did not say it aloud; neither did he
tell her that he would rather not begin at all,
though it was quite true; and she evidently
did not guess it, for after a minute she said—

“Try to-morrow to give up the thing you
like best, as the martyrs did, Tom.”

“Very well,” answered he slowly, slipping
off her knee. He was afraid to say he would
not; but he could not help feeling glad that
he had still from tea-time to bed-time before
to-morrow began, when he must try to please
others instead of pleasing himself, and give
up the thing he liked best, as the martyrs had
done.