mentioned, to the
school-room. Now I took to explaining it for myself. What business had I
to pray with that iniquity hidden in my heart, of which no one knew but
God? How could I get forgiven? what was I to do?

Conscience took courage and put in the suggestion, "Confess boldly to
your parents the sin that is lying so heavily upon you." But then the
thought that, if Aleck never got better, they would think me his
murderer, took possession of me, and I took pains to convince myself,
against my own reason, that after all, I had not actually been guilty
of falsehood, since the real manner in which the ship had been lost was
actually guessed by my father; that it would do no good if I were to
give them the pain of knowing that I had allowed it to happen, having it
in my power to prevent it; that, after all, it would be enough to
confess to God and get forgiven.

But the reasoning, though for a time it silenced the promptings of
conscience, did not give me peace of mind; and a sense that I could not
pray--that, at least, my prayers would do no good--took from me the only
comfort that was worth thinking of.

I was so taken up with these reflections, that I never heard steps upon
the stairs, and started with an exclamation almost of fright when the
door opened rather quickly, and my father and Dr. Wilson came in.

"Why, Willie, there's nothing to be frightened at," exclaimed my father.
"Here's Dr. Wilson come to cheer us up about Aleck, who is to get quite
well by-and-by, we hope."

"Yes, yes, little man," said Dr. Wilson, kindly chucking me under the
chin, after a fashion which I have noticed prevails amongst grown-up
tall people who are amiably disposed towards children; "we shall soon
hope to bring him round again. With all your monkey-like ways of
climbing about the rocks, my only wonder is I've not had you for a
patient long ago!"

Something seemed to strike him in the face he was holding up by the
chin, and releasing me from a quick glance of inspection, he asked
presently whether I had seen Aleck, and listened to the account I had to
give of how Ralph had first noticed him lying at the foot of the rock.

Then he and my father stepped out by the window, and walked up and down
on the lawn; and I heard Dr. Wilson say to my father, "Any one can see
the boy has had a shock; take care he does not get frightened."

From the fragments of conversation which reached me,--sitting as I did
in the open window, whilst they