"Don't make rash promises."
"But you forgive him, don't you, Cousin Robert?" Mousey pleaded.
"Oh, yes," he answered, "I forgive him.'
"Thank you, sir," John Monday exclaimed gratefully, whilst Mousey left her chair, and going to the old man's side, put her arms around his neck, and kissed his withered cheek with real affection.
He returned the caress, and asked if she was going to read to him, to which she replied she would willingly. So after Maria had cleared away the supper-things, the little girl fetched her Bible, and commenced the fourth chapter of St. Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians.
John Monday sat with bowed head listening attentively, whilst the old man watched Mousey as though it was a pleasure to him to look on her gentle, earnest face.
"'Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:'"
"'And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.'" The child's sweet voice ceased, and there was silence for many minutes; at last Mr. Harding spoke in a strangely gentle tone for him.
"Thank you, my dear; it is a treat to hear you read. Now, don't you think it's time for you to go to bed?"
She agreed, and, after bidding him and John Monday good-night, left the room. The old man turned to his assistant.