Now is the time to undo the wrong done to Tommy, and set yourselves right before us all.

I can forgive the yielding to sudden temptation much easier than I can deceit.

Don't add a lie to the theft, but confess frankly, and we will all try to help you make us forget and forgive." He paused a moment, and one might have heard a pin drop, the room was so still; then slowly and impressively he put the question to each one, receiving the same answer in varying tones from all.

Every face was flushed and excited, so that Mr.Bhaer could not take color as a witness, and some of the little boys were so frightened that they stammered over the two short words as if guilty, though it was evident that they could not be.

When he came to Nat, his voice softened, for the poor lad looked so wretched, Mr.Bhaer felt for him.