He was deeply impressed.

"And they fight," she went on, "until one is killed. Very often love is
stronger, but sometimes it is anger that conquers, and then sad things
follow. In this way, David, much evil has happened in the world from
time to time."

Miss Unity paused. She felt that she was getting on very well, and was
surprised at her own success, for David had stopped crying, and was
staring at her with absorbed interest. She went on:

"When once we let anger drive love quite out of our hearts all manner of
bad things enter; but we don't often succeed in doing it, because love
is so great and strong. Do you know why you're so unhappy just now?"

"Because I've lost Antony," said David at once.

"Yes, that is one reason, but there is a bigger one. It is because you
are angry with Nancy."

David hung his head.

"You're fond of Nancy, Davie? I've heard your mother say that you and
she are favourite playfellows."

"No," said David, "not now. She promised to shut Antony's gate--and she
forgot."

Miss Unity stopped a moment to think; then she said:

"Would you be happier, David, if Nancy were to be punished?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because it would be fair."

"Well--you know it's Nancy's birthday soon, and she has to choose what
present I shall give her?"

David nodded his head. He knew it very well; and not only that, he knew
what Nancy was going to choose, for she had confided to him as a great
secret that her heart was set on a kitchen-range for the doll's house.

"When she chooses, would you like me to say: `No, Nancy. Because you
were careless and forgot David's pig I shall give you nothing this
year?'"

Miss Unity waited eagerly for the answer. How she hoped it would be
"No." She had not been so anxious for anything for a long time.

But David raised his head, gazed at her calmly, and said quite
distinctly:

"Yes."

Miss Unity sighed as she got up from her lowly seat.

"Very well, David," she said, "it shall be so; but I am sorry you will
not forgive your sister."

She went sadly back to the house, thinking to herself:

"Of course _I_ could not persuade where others have failed. It was
foolish to try. I have no influence with children. I ought to have
remembered that."

But she was mistaken. That night when she was dressing for dinner there
was a little knock at her door, very low down as though from somebody of
short stature. She opened it, and there was David.

"If