So Kitty, in her stiff blue sunbonnet and green calico dress, went to Sabbath school. There was no mission class for girls, so Mr. Parker sent her among the gaily-dressed little girls in Miss Haley's class; but Mr. Holbrook detained Tip.
"Edward, you intend to come to Sabbath school regularly, don't you?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then I think we must leave your place in the mission seat to be filled by some other boy, and you may come forward to my class."
It is doubtful whether Tip will ever see a prouder or happier moment than that one in which he followed the minister down the long room to his own class. But when he saw the seat full of boys, his face grew crimson. At the end of the seat was Ellis Holbrook, the minister's son,—the boy who but a few days before had, he believed in his heart, told a wicked story about himself, and gained him a severe punishment. He did not feel as though he could sit beside that boy, even in Sabbath school. But Mr. Holbrook waited, and sit down he must. Ellis moved along to give him room, and disturbed him neither by word nor look during the lesson. But Tip's heart was full of bitterness, and he thought the pleasure of that morning gone. The lesson was of Christ and His death on the cross, and, as he listened, hard thoughts began to die out. The story was too new; it touched too near his heart not to calm the angry feelings and to interest him wonderfully.
As soon as school was dismissed, Mr. Holbrook turned to him. "What disturbs you to-day, Edward?"
Tip's face grew red again. "I—I—nothing much, sir."
"Have you and Ellis been having trouble in school?"
"He has been getting me into trouble," spoke Tip boldly, finding himself caught.
Mr. Holbrook sat down again. "Can you tell me about it, Edward?"