"Reg," she replied, with unusual reverence in her tones, "Elsie is in God's hands, we must pray for her recovery."
At this moment Monty and Gwennie entered the room, each anxious to know the latest news of their little cousin. Reg paid no heed to their entrance, so overcome was he with the intensity of his emotions.
"I can't pray, mother, God wouldn't hear me."
"My dear child, don't give way so, you really must not," she said at length.
"Oh, you don't understand," he cried hopelessly. "Mother, I cut the rope of the swing partly through, so that Hugh should fall when he did his sums there."
Mrs. Wilfrid understood at length, and she looked terribly grieved and disappointed in her son; but there was, alas! more to follow.
"I must tell you all now, mother," he went on. "I hid that book in Hugh's desk, so that Mr. Deans should think he copied his sums."
Monty's rage burst forth at this last admission.
"And you let me fight Frank because of it, and black his eyes, Reg! I'll never forgive you!" And with these words the lad, with tears of mortification in his eyes, rushed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.
Gwennie, whose tender heart was touched by her brother's remorse, drew near him and laid her hand gently on his arm.