William has been told what is right and
wrong; he has read the Scriptures. He has infringed one of the chief
commandments in a most cruel and cowardly manner. I must not be
indulgent towards a crime which, if his victim dies, the legal authority
of his country will pronounce to be manslaughter. I will endeavour,
however, first to ascertain how far he is sensible of his fault by
showing him its consequence. Should he give no proof of penitence I
must resort to severer measures. I purpose to take all the children
with me to-morrow morning to Old Moggy's hut, and I trust that the sight
William will there witness will prove, as it must if his heart is not
hardened, a sufficient punishment for his act."

"I hope and pray it may," said Mrs Morgan. "I fear, though, that Miss
Ap Reece was most injudicious in her management of him, and that he has
now been allowed a long course of self-indulgence; and I believe that
nothing more effectually hardens the heart and makes it indifferent to
the feelings of others, to their sorrows and physical sufferings, than
such a mode of treatment."

Long did the Doctor and his wife talk over the subject, and then
kneeling, they earnestly placed the matter before the Throne of Grace,
seeking from thence guidance and strength. How little, in many
instances, are prosperous, healthy, happy children aware that the chief
cause of their prosperity, health, and happiness, is to be found in the
earnest, trustful prayers of God-fearing parents. Unhappy the children
who have not praying parents! thrice blessed those who have, and who, at
the same time, set high value on their parents' prayers, and learn
betimes to pray aright, and to pray for them as well as for themselves.

CHAPTER FIVE.

The sky was bright and blue; a fresh breeze, invigorating and pure, came
from the distant sea; the sun, just risen above the mountain tops, shone
down with undiminished lustre on the smiling valley, and all nature
sparkled with life and light, as the young Morgans, having finished
breakfast, assembled at the hall-door to accompany their father on his
proposed walk. The elder ones remarked that he looked graver than
usual, but hoped that the fresh air and exercise would soon restore his
spirits. They all enjoyed a walk with him, for he generally took care
to make it interesting, by giving them information on one or more of the
various natural objects they met with. There was not a tree, a flower,
or a s