"Yes."
"Oh, Jack!"
The sorrowful tone of his mother's voice cut Jack to the heart; a great lump rose in his throat, and he restrained his tears with an effort.
"I'm very sorry," he murmured; "and so is Theo—he told me he was!"
"You boys have made us very unhappy, and upset the whole household—nay, more, the whole village!"
"I am very sorry," Jack repeated; "I am indeed! I hate to think we have made you miserable, and given so much trouble to everybody. We did not mean to get lost."
"Well, I will say no more about it, for I think you have had punishment enough. But I hope you will never act so wrongly again."
"Never, never!" Jack cried. "Oh, mother, do please believe that!"
"I do believe it. When you say your prayers, do not forget to thank God for His mercy in saving you from a horrible death last night. Oh, my boy, shudder when I think what might have happened!"
A hot tear splashed down Jack's cheek, but he wiped it hastily away. His mother saw that he was truly repentant, and said no more; but before she left him she gave him a loving kiss, which he knew expressed her full forgiveness.