Gracie was sincerely penitent. She had always been taught that lying was a
dreadful sin, and had never before told a direct falsehood; but while in
her former home, Mrs. Scrimp's faulty management, joined to her own
natural timidity, had tempted her to occasional slyness and deceit, and
from these the descent to positive untruth was easy.
Violet's faithful dealing, and even more her evident deep distress because
of the sin against God of which her darling had been guilty, had so
convinced the child of the heinousness of her conduct that she was sorely
distressed because of it, and on being left alone, knelt down again and
pleaded for pardon with many bitter tears and sobs.
She had risen from her knees and was lying on a couch, still weeping, when
Lulu came into the room.
"Why, Gracie, what is the matter?" she asked, running to the couch and
bending over her little sister in tender concern.
"Don't ask me, Lulu, I don't want to tell you," sobbed Gracie, turning
away her blushing, tear-stained face.
"Mamma Vi has been scolding or punishing you for some little naughtiness,
I suppose," said Lulu, frowning.
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