“It is impossible for me to give you the number of times,” answered I.
“Well, my child, I will help your memory by asking you questions. Tell me the truth. Do you think you have mocked me ten times?”
“A great many times more, sir.”
“Fifty times?”
“Many more still.”
“A hundred times?”
“Say five hundred times and perhaps more,” answered I.
“Why, my boy, do you spend all your time in mocking me?”
“Not all; but unfortunately I do it very often.”
“Well may you say unfortunately; for so to mock your priest, who holds the place of our Lord Jesus Christ, is a great misfortune, and a great sin for you. But tell me, my little boy, what reason have you for mocking me thus?”