eserved to be unhappy. The
afternoon dragged slowly; he grew very hungry, and at last saying to
himself that he would go and get some biscuit, and "Tom Sawyer," one
of his favorite books, he went softly downstairs.

The house was so quiet that the sight of Mr. Smith asleep on a hall
chair was a positive relief. After visiting the pantry he went to the
library for his book. The door was half open, and when he reached it
he suddenly stopped, for there was Aunt Zelie by the table with her
head bowed on her arms. Evidently she had not heard him, and Carl
almost held his breath. He thought she was crying; he was not sure,
but certainly she was unhappy. It came to him in that moment, as it
never had before, how tender and sweet and helpful she was. She had
sorrow of her own, he knew, and who was there to comfort her as she
comforted others? And he had disappointed her--had behaved shamefully.
As he stood there it seemed to him that he must have been crazy. He
could not endure the sight of that sorrowful figure, and turning to go
away, instead; the next minute he was kneeling beside her saying,
"Aunt Zelie, I am _so_ sorry."

She was startled, for she had not heard him; but she turned and put
her arms around him for a moment, without speaking.

"Aunt Zelie, I know how contemptible I am; you ought not to have
anything to do with me," Carl exclaimed in a great burst of
contrition. She took his hand and held it fast as she answered, "I
can't throw stones at you, dear, but perhaps I can help you to learn
the lesson I have had to learn many times."

He never forgot that afternoon. How he sat beside her with his head on
her shoulder, while she talked to him as she had never talked before.
How his face glowed with mingled shame and pride as she said that, of
all the children, he was, if possible, the dearest to her.

"But I have more fear for you than for the others. I long to have you
grow up a strong, true man--master of yourself in every sense. If you
do not, I shall feel that in some way it is my fault."

"I will try to be what you want me to be--like Uncle Carl--if I
can; and nobody in the world could help me as you do."

[Illustration: "HE TOLD HER ABOUT THE TROUBLE AT SCHOOL."]

"I shall not leave you till you leave me," Aunt Zelie said, smiling
rather wistfully at the tall boy.

"That will be never, and I will always take care of you," answered
Carl, laying his cheek against her hand. He told her about the trouble