istled a tune, and walked off in no very pleasant humour,
while Belle and Charlie went into the house. Their pleasure was all gone
for want of "_the soft answer which turneth away wrath_."

Nannie came in and sat down by the fire and began to read. She was very
much interested in the book she was reading; but, somehow, to-day she
did not like it as well as usual. She turned over the leaves, and read
a little here and there; but it didn't please her. She got up from her
chair, went to the window, and began drumming on the window-pane.

"Be still, Nannie," said her father, who was sitting in the room,
reading. She sat down again, and sat looking into the fire.

"I don't care," she thought; "Jack had no business to do it. I think he
was very unkind, and I'll do the same to him another time. Yes, I will,"
she said to herself more determinedly, because there was something within
which said, _"If thy brother sin against thee, forgive him."_ Nannie
wouldn't listen, but kept cherishing the angry thoughts.

"He may be thankful it wasn't Belle instead of me, for she would have
told father of him in a minute. Jack is always teasing me. He spoiled
all my card-houses yesterday. Forgiving him then didn't do him any
good."

The little voice within whispered, _"Lord, how oft shall my brother sin
against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith, Until
seventy times seven."_

Nannie heard it again, but still wouldn't listen, and went on,--"And the
other day he tore my prettiest paper doll, just for fun. I'd like to know
how he'd like to have me tear his things 'just for fun.'

"And the other day he hurt poor pussy's ears."

The little voice whispered,--"And the other day, when you were sick, he
stayed away from the nutting party, and showed you pictures, and read
to you;" and as fast as Nannie told of an unkind act, the little voice
whispered of a kind one. But Nannie could not listen to-day to the
friendly voice which had so often helped her out of her troubles.

After supper Jack said again, "Come, Nannie, let us be friends, won't
you?"

Nannie had let the angry thoughts have dominion so long, that although
she felt almost inclined to make it up with Jack, pride conquered, and
she turned away without a word.

Poor Jack! he really loved his little sister very much, and had felt very
sorry about the quarrel. It had cost a good deal of effort to go so far
towards making it up, even though he knew he was to blame. B