“I will,” replied Harrison.
“I am going to ask the question now,” continued Marcus, “but you need not answer it to-night. I would rather that you should take time to think it over, and let me know your decision to-morrow. The question is this—whether you intend to keep on in your old habits, as though nothing had happened, or will you try to correct the faults I have mentioned? You will please to take notice that the question refers only to your intentions. I do not ask you to promise never to disobey or be disrespectful again; but if you have any intention, or even the slightest wish, to reform these habits, I want you to say so, and I will help you all I can to accomplish the work. On the other hand, if you really prefer to do as you have been doing, I want you to tell me that, just as candidly. Remember you promised to be frank. You can go, now, and to-morrow you may tell me your decision.”
Harrison’s bearing was somewhat more subdued and respectful than usual, when he left Marcus. The same peculiarity was apparent in his conduct the next day, in school. When school was dismissed at noon, Harrison went of his own accord to the teacher’s desk, and said:—
“Mr. Page, I’ve thought over that matter that we talked about yesterday, and I’ve made up my mind to try to do better, hereafter.”
“I am very glad to hear you say so, Harrison,” replied Marcus, grasping the boy kindly by the hand. “If that is your intention, I have no doubt we shall get along pleasantly enough after this.”
“I’m sorry I went off, Saturday, and I wont do such a thing again,” added Harrison.
“That was quite a serious act of disobedience,” replied Marcus, “although I have refrained from saying much about it directly, thus far. If I should conclude that the offence required some kind of punishment, notwithstanding this confession, do you feel as though you could submit to it cheerfully?”
“Yes, sir, I think I could,” replied Harrison, rather hesitatingly.
“I suppose the fact that you ran away is known to all the scholars,” observed Marcus. “Now should you be willing to make the apology as publicly as the offence?”
This was a pretty severe test for Harrison. Remembering the braggadocio with which he had alluded to his offence, only the day before, in the presence of many of his school-mates, it was hard to say he was willing to stand up before them all, and humbly acknowledge his fault.