ayed in it; they had only felt
tired and unrefreshed, with a dull headache; but now that Tom came back
again into it, he could not mistake its oppressive nature. He went to
the window to try and open it. It was what people call a "Yorkshire
light," where you know one-half has to be pushed on one side. It was
very stiff, for it had not been opened for a long time. Tom pushed
against it with all his might; at length it gave way with a jerk; and
the shake sent out a cracked pane, which fell on the floor in a hundred
little bits. Tom was sadly frightened when he saw what he had done. He
would have been sorry to have done mischief at any time, but he had seen
enough of his aunt the evening before to find out that she was sharp,
and hasty, and cross; and it was hard to have to begin the first day in
his new home by getting into a scrape. He sat down on the bedside, and
began to cry. But the morning air blowing in upon him, refreshed him,
and made him feel stronger. He grew braver as he washed himself in the
pure, cold water. "She can't be cross with me longer than a day; by
to-night it will be all over; I can bear it for a day."

Dick came running upstairs for something he had forgotten.

"My word, Tom! but you'll catch it!" exclaimed he, when he saw the
broken window. He was half pleased at the event, and half sorry for Tom.
"Mother did so beat Jack last week for throwing a stone right through
the window downstairs. He kept out of the way till night, but she was on
the look-out for him, and as soon as she saw him, she caught hold of him
and gave it him. Eh! Tom, I would not be you for a deal!"

Tom began to cry again at this account of his aunt's anger; Dick became
more and more sorry for him.

"I'll tell thee what; we'll go down and say it was a lad in yon
back-yard throwing stones, and that one went smack through the window.
I've got one in my pocket that will just do to show."

"No," said Tom, suddenly stopping crying. "I dare not do that."

"Daren't! Why you'll have to dare much more if you go down and face
mother without some such story."

"No! I shan't. I shan't have to dare God's anger. Mother taught me to
fear that; she said I need never be really afraid of aught else. Just be
quiet, Dick, while I say my prayers."

Dick watched his little cousin kneel down by the bed, and bury his face
in the clothes; he did not say any set prayer (which Dick was accustomed
to think was the only way of praying), but Tom seeme