t son, who then was able to lay before him the facts of the case,
as gathered from his sisters. He listened with a manner as though it
were a reproof, and then said sadly, "I am afraid I was in a passion."

"It was very wrong in Harry," said Richard, "and particularly unlucky it
should happen with the Andersons."

"Very thoughtless," said the doctor, "no more, even as regarded
Margaret; but thoughtlessness should not have been treated as a crime."

"I wish we could see him otherwise," said Richard.

"He wants--" and there Dr. May stopped short, and, taking up his candle,
slowly mounted the stairs, and looked into Harry's room. The boy was in
bed, but started up on hearing his father's step, and exclaimed, "Papa,
I am very sorry! Is Margaret better?"

"Yes, she is; and I understand now, Harry, that her alarm was an
accident. I beg your pardon for thinking for a moment that it was
otherwise--"

"No," interrupted Harry, "of course I could never mean to frighten her;
but I did not leave off the moment I saw she was afraid, because it was
so very ridiculous, and I did not guess it would hurt her."

"I see, my honest boy. I do not blame you, for you did not know how
much harm a little terror does to a person in her helpless state. But,
indeed, Harry, though you did not deserve such anger as mine was, it is
a serious thing that you should be so much set on fun and frolic as to
forget all considerations, especially at such a time as this. It takes
away from much of my comfort in sending you into the world; and for
higher things--how can I believe you really impressed and reverent, if
the next minute--"

"I'm not fit! I'm not fit!" sobbed Harry, hiding his face.

"Indeed, I hardly know whether it is not so," said the doctor. "You are
under the usual age, and, though I know you wish to be a good boy, yet
I don't feel sure that these wild spirits do not carry away everything
serious, and whether it is right to bring one so thoughtless to--"

"No, no," and Harry cried bitterly, and his father was deeply grieved;
but no more could then be said, and they parted for the night--Dr. May
saying, as he went away, "You understand, that it is not as punishment
for your trick, if I do not take you to Mr. Ramsden for a ticket, but
that I cannot be certain whether it is right to bring you to such solemn
privileges while you do not seem to me to retain steadily any grave or
deep feelings. Perhaps your mother would have better helped y