m the people. They did not
like to pay their taxes, and so they did not like the tax-gatherers, and
despised them. And thus the pharisee thanked God that he was not like
that publican. 'I fast twice in the week. I pay tithes of all that I
possess.'

"Tithes?" said Caleb.

"Yes, that was money which God had commanded them to pay. They were to
pay in proportion to the property they had. But some dishonest men used
to conceal some of their property, so as not to have to pay so much;
but this pharisee said _he_ paid tithes of _all_ that he possessed."

"That was right, grandmother," said Caleb.

"Yes," said his grandmother, "that was very well."

"If he really did it," continued Caleb doubtfully. "Do you think he did,
grandmother?"

"I think it very probable. I presume he was a pretty good man,
_outside_."

"What do you mean by that, grandmother?"

"Why, his heart might have been bad, but he was probably pretty careful
about all his _actions_, which could be seen of men. But we will go on."

"'And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his
eyes to heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me
a sinner. I tell you this man went down to his house justified rather
than the other.'"

"Which man?" said Caleb.

"The publican."

"The publican was justified?" said Caleb, "what does _justified_ mean?"

"Forgiven and approved. God was pleased with the publican, because he
confessed his sins honestly; but he was displeased with the pharisee,
because he came boasting of his good deeds."

Here there was a pause. Caleb sat still and seemed thoughtful. His
grandmother did not interrupt him, but waited to hear what he would say.

"Yes; but, grandmother, if the pharisee really was a good man, it wasn't
right for him to thank God for it?"

"It reminds me of Thomas's acorns," said Madam Rachel.

"Thomas's acorns!" said Caleb, "tell me about them, grandmother."

"Why, Thomas and his brother George were sent to school. They stopped to
play by the way, until it was so late that they did not dare to go in.
Then they staid playing about the fields till it was time to go home.
They felt pretty bad and out of humour, and at last they separated and
went home different ways.

"In going home, Thomas found an oak-tree with acorns under it. 'Ah!'
said he, 'I will carry mother home some acorns.' He had observed that
his mother was pleased whenever he brought her things; and he had an
idea