"I'm very glad you're good now; but you must be punished all the same. If a man gets sent to prison for stealing, however good he feels and is, after stealing, it won't save him from the prison."
Noel stared at his mother. Then he sobbed out:
"But I want to be forgiven."
"Miss Morgan will forgive you if you tell her you are sorry, but you must still be punished."
And then she left him climbing slowly up the stairs to the schoolroom. She longed to take him in her arms and pet him, but she knew it would not be good for him if she did.
Noel went into the nursery a chastened boy.
"I've come to say I'm sorry," he said.
Miss Morgan looked at his red eyes, and wisely did not ask him where he had been.
"I am very glad to hear you say so," she said. "Now, to show me you are sorry, sit down and do your sums."
In silence Noel took up his slate and pencil. Miss Morgan had no cause for complaint of him again.