"He's done little but cry ever since."
"Then tell him I freely forgive him as I hope God will."
Mr. Crawson reeled forward as if he had been struck.
"Do you mean to say," he gasped, "that you shan't take him up, commit him to jail for trial?"
"I never thought of doing such a thing. Every day when I pray that God would give me back the life of my boy, I pray that this dreadful event may be blessed to his companion. You may tell him so. It would be in vain for us to ask God to forgive our sins, if we did not from the heart forgive each other."
There was a sound like a suppressed sob as Mr. Crawson without a word turned away. Before he left the yard, he was crying aloud.
He was half way home when he met the clergyman.
"I believe it. I believe it," he exclaimed wringing the man's hand. "I always scoffed at religion. I allus said it did for Sunday use; but it wouldn't work for every day wear; but I believe it now; and Mr. Dodge has got it too. I must go home and tell my poor boy."
The next day when Jimmy after a long sleep opened his eyes the light of reason dawned in them. He gazed at his mother a moment and then smiled a recognition.
She bent over, kissed his pale cheek and rushed from the room to give vent to her joy and gratitude. On her knees, with her hands clasped, did she thank the Giver of all her mercies for this last, best answer to her prayers; for the good Doctor had told them if he woke conscious, there would be good reason to hope. Jimmy saved, Jimmy's reason restored, that he might repent and forsake his sins; what more had she to ask for?