150 Tom Seven Years Old.

 

been picking the red berries that I told you
not to pick. And you have not only been
picking them, but eating them. Is it so?”

Tom raised his eyes, forgetting.

“No, I didn’t,” he said, in a great hurry;
“it was too nasty; I couldn’t swallow it.”

“Ts that true ?” asked she.

“Yes, mamma!” cried Tom; “really true.”

“Archie,” said she, “go into the drawing-
room. Tom can have no one to take tea
with him to-day. ‘Tom, come upstairs with

3

me. |
She held his hand tightly. “Tom did not
like it, and tried to get it loose. He knew
he was going to be punished. She took him
upstairs to an empty room, where there was
only the bare walls, bare floor, and bare
ceiling.

“Now, Tom,” she said, “ you stay here till
I send for you. What have you done wrong,
that I am punishing you for? ‘Tell me.”

Tom knew quite well, but did not choose
to tell her. He was very angry with her for
punishing him at all, and he was very angry