Supposing my grandmother were to die, supposing I were never to see her again, would I _then_ feel satisfied with my behaviour to her, and would I still say to myself that I had done all for the best in spending my money on a new cup?
Would I not then rather feel that it would have been less grievous to my grandmother to know of my breaking twenty cups, than to discover the concealment and want of candour into which my cowardliness had led me?
"'If grandmother were _dead_, I suppose she would know all about it,' I said to myself.

'I would not like to think of that.

I would rather have told her myself.' "And I startled my father by turning to him suddenly and asking if grandmother was very old.

He replied, 'Not so very.

Of course she is not _young_, but we may hope to have her among us many a day yet if God wills it, my little woman.' "I gave a sigh of relief.