There was such a bright, kindly look on the pale, weary face, that even Jack could not possibly be offended.
“Now, just listen for a moment,” continued Mark; “suppose that as I was coming along I had spied under the bushes there a lion asleep that I knew would soon wake, and prowl in search of his prey, should I do right in going home and taking care of myself, barring our door so that no lion could come in, and never telling you of the danger at all?”
Madge glanced half-frightened towards the bushes, but Jack replied, “I should say that you were a cowardly fellow if you did.”
“What! leave us to be torn in pieces, and never give us warning of the lion?” cried Ben.
“I should be a cowardly fellow indeed, and a most unfeeling brother. And shall I not tell you of your danger, when the Evil One, who is as a roaring lion, is laying wait for your precious souls. As long as you are in sin you are in danger. Oh, that you would turn to God and be safe!”
“God will not punish poor children like us,” said Madge, “just for working a little when we are so poor.”
“The Evil One whispers the very same thing to us as he did to Eve, ‘Thou shalt not surely die;’ but she found, as we shall find, that though God is merciful, He is also just, and keeps His word.”
“There will be time enough to trouble ourselves about these things,” said Ben.
“Take care of yourself, and leave us in peace!” exclaimed Jack; “we are not going to be taught by you!” and turning his back upon Mark, he began to work more vigorously than ever.