“No, sir,” said he again, and ran for the parlor as if a mountain-lion were chasing him. He dared not walk, lest he might not go at all.
How he hated to go! That fruit-dish was a new one only last Christmas. Mamma would almost cry to know it was broken.
He ran every step of the way. Mamma almost cried, it is true; but it was just for joy!
“My blessed, blessed Jimmy-boy! I can forgive you for carelessness; but, oh, if you had shut Judy into the kitchen, and deceived your mother!”
“But I didn’t do it, mamma!”
“No, no, no; God kept you from that meanness, the good God.”
“Mamma, your beautiful fruit-dish is broken!” exclaimed Edy, bursting into the parlor. “Isn’t it too bad?”
“Never mind, daughter; I’m too happy to care for such trifles,” returned Mrs. Dunlee, with a sunny glance at Jimmy that warmed him to the very depths of his heart.