"'Twas our text in school yesterday, Mr. Jasper."
"Is it out of the Bible?"
"Why, yes."
"Whereabouts is it, then?"
Rob shook his head. "I don't know," he said, "but perhaps I could find it;" and jumping up he reached down the old dusty book from the shelf, and opened its pages, turning them over and over, but in vain. After some minutes he put it down wearily, saying, "'Tis such a lot of reading, and I can't find it; but Phil will know, and I'll ask him, and be sure to tell you."
"All right, Rob! But anyhow you're sure it's there?"
"Oh yes, because teacher read it out of his Bible, and then he chalked it on the board for us to learn; but Phil always finds the verses himself as well. You see, he's so clever, and then he's five years older than me." And with this excuse for his inferior capacities, Rob set to work at his rags again, and Jasper to his thoughts.
Then, after all, the Bible wasn't all against a man; anyhow Rob's verse wasn't. Perhaps he needn't be afraid to read it? He'd have a look by-and-by when the child was gone, and see for himself. But now he must set to work again.
"Dear me, Rob, you're getting on first-rate, and making that big heap look quite foolish; but how about the time? Is there any dinner going for you at home, child?"
"Oh yes; soup to-day. Mr. Armstrong gave us tickets yesterday, and Phil went to fetch it when I came here; so 'tis ready now, and I'll have to go; and then it will be school time. But after, if father doesn't want me, I shall come in and finish my work."