John sat down by the fire, his face grave and troubled.
"Hugh," he exclaimed, in a beseeching tone, "say you won't be tempted to take it again till father comes home. Oh, Hugh, I would give everything I possess if you hadn't!"
Hugh was silent. In his present mood he did not feel inclined to promise.
"Where's the harm?" he asked at last.
"Father trusted us not to take it till we were old enough to judge of its dangers; he said we must take his judgment till then."
"And how long was that to last?"
"I don't know, but I was quite willing to leave it till then. Hugh, what does our text say, as father is not here?"
John's voice was low, and his face full of feeling.
"I hadn't that to look at out there!" murmured Hugh.
"No. Oh, Hugh, say you will not again till they come home?"