Then I told Chandos about the questions, and we kneeled down together, and he asked God to forgive me and help me to do what was right.
"If God will only let me lose this prize now I shan't care," I said, when we got up.
"But—but I don't think we ought to wait for that," said Chandos.
"What can I do?" I said.
"Suppose you get it—and you may, you know," said Chandos; "you would be obliged to do something then."
"Oh, I can't bear to think of that. Won't God help me by giving it to another fellow?
"God will never help us to be cowards; He will help you to do the brave and right thing, which is to go to Dr. Mellor at once, tell him all about it, and ask him to destroy your papers."
"Tell the governor I'm a mean sneak! I couldn't do it, Chandos."
"Then God cannot help you in any other way, nor I either. I tell you He helps people to be brave and do the right; but don't expect He is going to screen you from the consequences of sin, because He cannot and will not; and to expect it would be like sawing your finger with a sharp knife and not expecting to cut it. I will not attempt to persuade you, Charley; but if you are sincere in asking God's pardon now, and His help for the future, you will not hesitate about this long."
"But it is so hard to do this, Chandos."