"It's because you've been so kind," she said, squeezing her sister very tight. "I am sorry now. And, Lucia—"
"Yes, dear?"
"I said what wasn't quite true—twice."
"Did you, dear?"
"Yes; I told the others I was only going over there; and so I was, and yet it wasn't quite true, because I meant to go a good way, you see!"
"Yes, I see that. Satan is so glad to trip us up like that. He assures us it is true, and then he mocks us by reminding us it was not."
May nodded again, and then went on—
"And I told you I did not mean to be naughty; but I do believe I knew I ought not to have gone away, only I wanted so much to see the Queen that I would not let myself think."
Lucia pressed her closely.
"Dear little May! What a mercy it is for us, who do so many wrong things, that God can forgive us because Jesus bore our punishment."