Lom gets into disgrace. 153

—_—

 

was no use hiding it from himself and from
her—he was sorry. His mamma took his
hands and folded them.

“Have you asked for forgiveness, Tom 2”
she whispered.

“IT didn’t want it till now!” sobbed Tom.

“Then ask it now,” said she.

They stood quite quiet and quite still, while
he asked. Tom did not kneel. He knew
God would hear him any way, whether he
stood or knelt.

“T’ve done it,” he said at last. Then
Tom’s mamma put her arm round him, as
though he had never been cross to her,
and he thought it very good of her. They
walked down stairs to the warm, bright
drawing-room. His tea was laid on a little
table by the fire. He had not been forgotten,
even though he was in disgrace. Tom felt
it very delightful being forgiven. He threw
his arms round his mamma’s neck, and told
her so.

“But you mustn’t do it again,” whispered
she in return—“ never.”