ignation.

Captain Carbonel said they were such intolerable louts that to
disappoint them was all the better, and they would know how to present
themselves more seriously another time, but Mr Harford much doubted
whether they would ever present themselves again.

"It would just be mockery for them to make the vow," said the captain.

"Ah! they miss the grace," said the curate.

Harriet Allen was crying all through the time of the Confirmation when
she perceived that her brother's head was not among the boys. Indeed
the only male candidate from Uphill was Will Cox, who had gone with his
cousins from Downhill. Most of the boys were glad to have got off
making the vow, for, in spite of all Mr Harford's teaching, there were
some who still believed that they would take all their god-parents' sins
upon them, or, at any rate, that they should feel more bound to take
heed to their ways.

Johnnie Hewlett indeed was sorry when he went home to his aunt, and had
to tell her why he had not been confirmed after all.

"Oh, Johnnie, Johnnie, you didn't go for to upset the maids?"

"I? No. I was at the bottom of the hill with Harry Coles."

"Then why couldn't you have said so?" He hung his head and twisted his
hands. "Oh, Johnnie, what was it? Was it only the going along with the
others?"

Still he made no reply, but Judith saw in his face that this was the
reason.

"Oh, my boy! To think that you did not feel that God's blessing and
grace were worth standing out for against a lot of idle chaps; and now
you won't be able to take the Sacrament!"

"Father never would let I," returned the boy.

"Oh, my dear, dear lad, don't you know that you might have got strength,
and would get strength, to stand up for yourself, and do what you ought.
Oh dear! My hope is gone!" she cried bitterly, and though Johnnie got
away from the sight, her distress really found its way into his heart,
while he said very little except, "There, there, auntie, never mind.
Maybe I'll try again next time."

"You promise me, John Hewlett; even if I'm not here to see?"

"Yes, I promise, aunt," said he, glad to have silenced her regrets, and
hoping the fulfilment was a good way off.

The parishioners, especially those who had only sons and not daughters,
were very angry. They did not value Confirmation greatly, but that the
curate after "making such a work with the poor lads as never was,"
should have presumed to reject them made them furious. M