I did wrong to-day," replied Jessie, sighing deeply
and standing motionless in the middle of the chamber.

"Fig's end! I never knew such a girl as you are. _Wrong_ indeed! Just as
if it was wrong to have a little fun," replied Emily, sneering.

"Fun is not wrong; but it was wrong to alarm Mr. Sherwood and the boys,
about our safety. I know they felt very bad when they thought we were
lost. It was wrong, too, for us to pretend not to hear when they called
us. That was _acting a lie_. And oh, Emily! how _could_ you make up that
wicked story, about our getting lost in the woods!"

Jessie spoke with such deep and solemn feeling, that Emily's conscience
was touched. A slight shudder passed over her as she buried her head in
the pillow, and drew the bed-cover close to her face. Her voice was a
little husky, too, when she replied:

"You are too fussy, by half, Jessie. Good-night!"

"Good-night!" said Jessie; and then dropping to her knees, beside the big
arm-chair, the well-taught child began to think over the events of the
afternoon. The longer she thought, the more guilty she felt. She could not
say her prayers, because her sin rose before her mind like a great, black
cloud. At last, she began to weep and sob, saying in half-audible
whispers:

"I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry! I wish I hadn't made believe I didn't hear!
Oh dear! oh dear! what shall I do?"

Emily got up a mock snore, by way of saying, "I'm asleep, and don't know
but that you are asleep too." But she was not asleep, nor did she feel
like sleeping in the least. In fact, she kept peeping over her pillow at
Jessie, and wondering why she felt so bad, until a voice within her,
whispered:

"If Jessie feels bad for yielding to your wishes, how ought _you_ to feel,
who led her astray, and who told such a shocking lie to hide your fault?
Emily Morris! Emily Morris! You are a wicked girl!"

Jessie now rose from her knees, bathed in tears. Wrapping herself in a
dressing-gown, she took the lamp in her hand, left the room, and went,
with slow and heavy steps, down-stairs. Leaving her lamp on the
hall-table, she went into the parlor. Every eye was lifted towards her,
with inquiring glances. She went directly to that sweetest of all earthly
nestling-places for a child in sorrow, her mother's arms, and whispered:

"O mother! I've been a naughty girl to-day!"

Mrs. Carlton drew her closer to her heart, kissed her with great
tenderness, and said:

"What has my child do