"Oh, thank you!" said Robin, in the relief of the moment feeling grateful enough to be always her willing slave. "Can I do anything for you to-day?"
"No, not to-day, but to-morrow perhaps."
And Robin went out feeling that now he was completely in her power. And so it proved. From that day his excuses were of no avail. The vase had been so well mended that no one knew of the breakage except cook; and she had only to threaten a disclosure of the fact if there was the least hesitation in the carrying out of her commands.
The poor boy found that the way of transgressors is hard, and that one false step leads to many more. He was very miserable now, though keeping up an outward appearance of good by being extra diligent at his work. Fear of man was the one thing that spoiled Robin's character; he lacked the courage to say no, and present a bold front to the enemy. He had not yet learnt how "to add to his faith virtue," that fearless valour for the truth without which no Christian soldier can fight the good fight, and as a conqueror obtain the victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil.
Some weeks after the accident in the china pantry, Clarice sat in the drawing room practising at the piano. It was a hot day in July, and the French windows were open down to the ground. The lazy hum of bees, and the sweet breath of flowers, and the sunshine outside made the child feel idle. A sudden fancy impelled her to leave her music and flit out through the open window.
She presently returned with some roses off a bush she was allowed to gather from. Looking about she perceived the china vase in the centre of the table, and proceeded to turn out some of the fading flowers, and replace them with those she had brought in. This was a disobedient act, for she knew well that neither she nor any of the children were allowed to touch that vase. However, she did not think of this until too late, so engrossed was she in her self-imposed task.
The withered rose leaves fell in a shower on the crimson cloth, and in one instant the child resolved to lift the vase to a side table, and gather up the fallen leaves to throw them away. Poor Clarice! The handle that had been so cleverly mended was the first she took hold of, and with a smash the costly china ornament fell upon the table, while the water streamed among the scattered flowers down to the carpet.
Clarice uttered a loud scream, which quickly brought her mother to the room, who stood in consternation at seeing the wreck before her.
"Oh, mother!" sobbed Clarice. "Indeed I didn't do it; it was not my fault. I don't know how it happened. I was lifting it so carefully."
"Clarice dear, you know quite well you are never allowed to touch anything in the drawing room. Your disobedience was the cause of this accident; and my favourite vase cannot be replaced. I am grieved that my little girl was tempted to do what she knew was wrong. You wasted your time instead of practising your music. How true it is that: