ve
tempted the appetite of an epicure.

"Come, honey, dry dose wet eyes an' eat yo' supper," said mammy, setting
it out daintily on a little table which she placed before the child and
covered with a fine damask cloth fresh from the iron. "De milk's mos' all
cream, an' de bread good as kin be: an' you kin hab much as eber you
want ob both ob dem."

"Did mamma say so, mammy?"

"Yes, chile; an' don't shed no mo' dose tears now; ole mammy lubs you
like her life."

"But I've been very naughty, mammy," sobbed the little girl.

"Yes, Miss Wi'let, honey: an' we's all been naughty, but de good Lord
forgib us for Jesus' sake if we's sorry an' don't 'tend neber to do so
no mo'."

"Yes, mammy, Oh I wish you could stay with me I but you musn't: for
mamma said I must be all alone."

"Yes, darlin'; an' if you wants mo' supper, jes ring dis, an' mammy'll
come."

She placed a small silver bell on the table beside Vi, and with a
tender, compassionate look at the tear-swollen face, went away.

The young Travillas were sometimes denied dainties because of
misconduct, but always allowed to satisfy their youthful appetites with
an abundance of wholesome, nourishing food.

Vi ate her supper with a keen relish, and found herself greatly
comforted by it. How much one's views of life are brightened by a good
comfortable meal that does not overtax the digestive organs. Vi suddenly
remembered with a feeling of relief that the worst of her trouble--the
confession--was over, and the punishment nearly so.

It was only a little while till mamma came, took her on her lap, kissed
and forgave her.

"Mamma, I'm so, _so_ sorry for having disobeyed and grieved you!"
whispered the child, weeping afresh: "for I do love you very, very much,
my own mamma."

"I know it, dearest; but I want you to be far more sorry for having
disobeyed God, who loves you more, a great deal, than your parents do,
and has given you every good thing you have."

"Yes, mamma, I've asked God many times to forgive me for Jesus's sake,
and I think he has."

"Yes, if you asked with your heart, I am sure he has; for Jesus said,
'Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in
my name, he will give it you.'"

There was a little pause, Vi nestling close in her mother's arms; then
with a quiver in her voice, "Mamma," she sighed, "will you ever trust me
again?"

"Just the same as before, my child; because I believe you are truly
sorry for your si