"'But you are mine, Harry; I have bought you!'
"'Yours, massa?' said the boy, leaping up. 'Yours? Why me not know dat; me do anything in worl' for you, massa!'
"The traveller smiled. 'Will you, Harry? And why will you do anything in the world for me?'
"''Cause massa's kind,' said the boy huskily; ''cause massa say nice words; 'cause massa's bought me from my cruel old massa!'
"Yes, children, you are not your own; you are bought with a price! What price? Is it money? No! Something much more precious than money! What can it be?
"God has plenty of money, but that would not do for you! He had only one precious thing that would do to buy you! What was it? For He gave it! The Bible says, 'Bought with the precious blood of Christ!' It was His own only Son! Yes; He gave His Son for all of you! Will you spring up as Harry did, and say to God, 'I did not know that; I will do anything in the world for you'?
"Now all repeat our text once more: 'Ye are not your own. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.'"
By this time quite a little group had gathered together; but most of the inner circle had been too absorbed to notice. They now sang another hymn, which was well taken up; and after two or three words of prayer to ask God's blessing, the little party broke up, just as the clock near the beach struck twelve.
"Was it so very dreadful?" Walter said to Ada; but she turned away hastily, and would have nothing to say about it.
The children now dispersed to their digging or bathing; Walter and Arthur pushed Tom off on a promised expedition; and Miss Arbuthnot sat down by Nellie and Mrs. Arundel.