wagon, when it
becomes loose, soon wears out? The more it sags over on one side, the
weaker it grows. While the wheel stands up straight, it does not seem
to wear out at all.

It is just so with your conscience--your power to tell right from wrong.
While you keep it up straight, it works well, and never wears out. But
when it gets a little out of order, it grows worse very fast, and is not
of much more value than a lighthouse without any light in it.

Kate's conscience had begun to sag over on one side. It was growing
weak, and did not remind her of her wrong deeds with force enough to
make itself heeded. If she could only escape the reproof of her mother,
she did not care.

Thus moved by the wicked counsel of Ben Tinker, she hastened home. She
tried to look as if nothing had happened, but her eyes were still very
red from crying; and her mother wanted to know what had made her cry.

"Fanny Flynn struck me, and pulled my 'shaker' over my face," replied
Kate.

"What did she do that for?"

"She asked me to give her a drink of the milk, and because I wouldn't,
she struck me," answered Kate, placing her pail upon the kitchen table.

"She is a naughty girl, and I will go and see her mother about it. What
did she say to you?"

"She asked me for a drink of the milk."

"What did you answer?"

"I told her it was for Mrs. O'Brien's children, and that it wouldn't be
right for me to give it to her, and I would not."

"Well, I will see to that. I think it is a pity if I can't send one of
my children out on an errand of charity without her being treated in
this manner. She shall suffer for it."

"She is a naughty girl, mother; and I never mean to speak to her again
as long as I live," said Kate, with much apparent earnestness.

"You did right not to give her any of the milk, and I am glad you did
not. I am happy that my daughter has been brave enough to do right, and
even to suffer for doing it. You are a good girl, Kate."

"I meant to be, mother."

"What did Mrs. O'Brien say when you gave her the milk?" continued Mrs.
Lamb.

"She said she was much obliged to you," replied Kate, not daring to look
her mother in the face.

"Did you see the children?"

"Yes, mother."

Mrs. Lamb was going to ask more questions about the family, but
something called her attention away, and Kate was saved from telling
more falsehoods.

She took a book and tried to read, but she could not, for she did not
feel like a good girl.