Then when Mr. Crawson instead of being angry gazed into his face with an expression of anguish, such as he had never seen there before, Daniel fell on his knees at his father's feet, exclaiming:
"Oh, don't look like that! Whip me. I'll bring the strap; but oh don't look so! I'd never have been naughty in all the world if I'd known 'twould make you feel so bad."
"Daniel, my boy, what do you suppose I'm thinking of?"
"I can't tell, father."
"I'm thinking if I'd been a better man myself, and brought you up right, this never would have happened. Whatever comes of this, and you oughter to know there's danger afore yer, I shall allus feel the dagger here," bringing a crushing blow against his own heart.
The penitent boy burst into a fresh cry, and leaving the kitchen ran up to his chamber in the attic.
"I wouldn't take on so," said Amos trying to speak in a sympathizing tone. "I'd come to bed, and try to forget it."
[CHAPTER VII.]
FORGIVENESS.
"I DON'T know what Mr. Dodge will do," said Mr. Crawson to his wife when the boy had left the room. "I know what I should have done if it had been my boy that was hurt so. I'd have taken the fellow that did it, and if the law wouldn't punish him, I'd have thrashed him within an inch of his life. But the law will. There's no doubt about that. I never can live here disgraced, so there's an end of it!"