"I know every word you would say; but it is all, all wrong. I heard every word, and I dare say, guessed every thought. You did not really mean to pick the peach, but you could not resist the temptation to loosen its hold. When it fell, you were surprised and sorry; but you could not resist the temptation to eat, because you were alone, and thought that no one saw you; then, when John came, you turned coward, because you were wrong, and told him you had picked it up—and this was true, though it was also true that you were the means of knocking it down first—so you had neither the courage to speak the truth, nor tell a falsehood."
Mabel spoke quickly and impetuously, and as the whole truth glared on the child's mind, the hot tears fell quickly on her burning cheek.
"You do not love me, Mabel," she said.
"Because I will not let you be mean, deceitful, and wicked. What would papa have said had he seen his child act so?"
"Oh, forgive me, dear Mabel, and do not talk like that," said Amy.
There was a tear in Mabel's eye that softened the severity of her tone, and sitting down by her, she said, more quietly—
"Amy, love, in that little action, I saw enough to make me indignant, and more to make me sorry; for if you do not get rid of that deceit, which has led you wrong now, it will go on, leading you into worse errors, and how can I take care of you if I am not certain you are speaking the truth. Falsehood is the beginning of all sin; and you will learn to deceive me; and when I think my darling is all I wish her, I shall discover something hidden and sinful, that will tell me I am wrong. Oh, I am so vexed."
"Forgive me—oh, do say you forgive me?" cried the punished child.
"Have I the power to forgive what is sinful?" said Mabel, kissing her affectionately.
Amy understood, and running to the chamber where they both slept, she fell upon her knees, and clasped her little hands in prayer.