"I must ask God to forgive me, father," answered Bert, almost in a whisper.
"But is that all? Is there no one else of whom you should ask forgiveness?"
"Yes, of you."
"I have forgiven you already, Bert, for I know that you are sincerely sorry. But I think there is some one else still. Ought you not to ask Dr. Johnston's forgiveness?"
"Why, father," exclaimed Bert, looking up with an expression of surprise, "Dr. Johnston does not know anything about it."
"Ah, yes, Bert, true enough; but remember that ever since you've been using the translation you've been getting credit from him for work you had not really done. Was that providing things honest in the sight of all men, do you think?"
Bert flushed and looked down again. He was silent for a little while, and then said:
"But, father, I could never tell Dr. Johnston. He is so stern and severe."
"Do you think God will ever fully forgive you while you are concealing from Dr. Johnston what you ought in common honesty to tell him?"
This question evidently staggered him, and Mr. Lloyd, seeing what a struggle was going on within him, put his hand upon his shoulder, and said, with tender emphasis: