punctuality, some how or other his attention wandered just before he got
to my name, and he skipped it, so I did not have to answer at all. After
Mr. Briggs went out I looked at my name, and there was a cross after it
for punctual; so you see it is all right, and my chance for the prize is
as good as ever."

"I would rather have a brother who told the truth, than one who got the
prize," said Hatty, earnestly. "Dear Marcus, won't you tell Mr. Briggs
about it?"

"I shall do no such thing. Girls are so silly! You never can make them
understand anything," said Marcus, hastily.

But Hatty did understand. She felt that Marcus had acted a lie for the
sake of winning the prize he so greatly desired. She knew he would be
angry if she said anything more about it; but she could not be silent
and let him do wrong, without one more effort. After a moment, in which
she asked God to help her to keep down her own quick temper if Marcus
should make a harsh reply, Hatty said:

"Marcus, you know what mother tells us about the book where what we call
secret things are written down, to be read on the great day when all
things will be known. Something will stand against your name, there,
worse than a mark for being unpunctual. Dear Marcus, do tell the truth,
and not mind the prize. You will not care about the prize when you are
happy with the beautiful angels in Heaven; but you will love to remember
how you did right, when it came so very hard."

It had cost Hatty a great effort to say all this, and now she burst
into tears.

"Girls are so silly!" said Marcus, impatiently. "I wish you would not
set up to lecture me, Miss?" and the brother walked angrily away.

"For shame! For shame!" shouted little Meg, who had been an unnoticed
listener to the conversation, and her slender finger was pointed at her
brother. He took no notice of her; and she turned to Hatty, and threw
her arms round her neck, and said: "Don't cry, sister. Meg will be a
good girl. I will try very hard."

"Will you, Meg?" said Hatty, brightening. "Then I shall be very happy."

Now Meg had only wanted to say something to comfort Hatty, and had
spoken the first words that came into her mind, without thinking what
they meant. When she saw Hatty seem so much pleased, she thought to
herself: "I do mean to try, if Hatty wants it so very much."

At that moment Harry's voice was heard in loud, angry screams. Hatty and
Meg ran to the spot from whence they came. Marcus walk