"God has turned His back on me; I know He has. I believe he has put me outside the Door of His Kingdom. He won't come near me to-night, and He'll take His angels away, and then the devil will come and get hold of me. Oh, what shall I do! I must say my prayers, but I expect I shan't be listened to, as I've been so naughty."
"Say you're sorry and ask to be forgiven," whispered Harebell's conscience.
But she was not ready yet to say that she was sorry.
She began to pity herself.
"Aunt Diana was very provoking, she made me angry; she's unkind; she likes to tell me not to do what I want to do; and me and Tom were going to try to be good, together. She doesn't want Tom to be good, she wants him to be wicked, and she makes me wicked too!"
"She is your aunt and is grown-up; and you're only a little girl, and must do what she tells you," said conscience.
"I won't!" said Harebell, and she said it out loud.
Then the door creaked and slowly opened, and in a panic of fright Harebell hid her head under the clothes.
She heard a slow steady footstep across the room, and then a hand touched the bed. Harebell was beside herself with terror.
"Go away, devil!" she screamed. "I'm going to be good! Oh, God! God, come to me! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I will be good! Take the devil away!"