"'My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.'"
"Well, but I—"
"You consented in your heart, Willy, or Gideon could not have made you go swimming."
What a very bright woman! Willy was amazed. How could she guess that while riding on Gid's back he had been a little glad to think he could not help it? He had hardly known himself that he was glad, it was such a wee speck of a feeling, and so covered up with other feelings.
"But I tried not to go, mother. I tell you I squirmed awf'ly!"
"Well, you didn't try hard enough in the first place, Willy. Come here, and sit in my lap, and let us talk it over.—Do you know, my son, if you had tried hard enough, the Lord would have helped you?"
Willy raised his eyes wonderingly. Had God been looking on all the while, just ready to be spoken to? He had not thought of that.
"O, mamma," said he solemnly, "I will mind, next time, see 'f I don't. But there's that medal; why, what'll I do?"
"If Gideon will not return it, you must pay Miss Judkins a quarter of a dollar."
"With a hole in," sighed Willy. "Why, I've only got two cents in this world."