it.'

'Why, I've been learning to read,' answered Stephen, with some pride,
'and of course I know things I didn't used to know, and what thee doesn't
know now.'

'And what's that to do with it?' inquired Tim.

'My chapter says that if any man forces me to go one mile, I am to go
two,' replied Stephen; 'it doesn't say why exactly, but I'm going to try
what good it will be to me to do everything that my book tells me.'

'It's a queer book,' said Tim, after a pause. 'Does it say a chap may
make another chap do his work for him?'

'No,' Stephen answered; 'but it says we are to love our enemies, and do
good to them that hate us, that we may be the children of our Father
which is in heaven--that is God, Tim. So that is why I am going a mile
farther with thee.'

'I don't hate thee,' said Tim uneasily, 'but I do love fighting; I'd
liever thee'd fight than come another mile. Don't thee come any farther,
I've been bone lazy all day, and thee's been at work. And I say, Stevie,
I'll help thee with the potatoes to-morrow, to make up for this bout.'

Stephen thanked him, and accepted his offer heartily. The load was
quickly transferred to Tim's broad back, and the boys parted in more
good-will than they had ever felt before; Stephen strengthened by this
favourable result in his resolution to put in practice all he knew of
the Bible; and Tim deep in thought, as was evident from his muttering