plaited my hair, and put on my clean
frock. But we felt happy together. I
knew she was as glad to forgive as I
was to be forgiven.

In a little while she led me, blinking,
into the light. A tall stranger, a lady
in prune-coloured silk, sat in the high-
backed chair.

"This is my eldest girl, Aunt Cor-
delia," said my mother. I went for-
ward timidly, wondering if I were
really going to be greeted by this per-
son who must have heard such terrible
reports of me. I found myself caught
by the hands and drawn into the em-
brace of this new, grand acquaintance.

"Well, I've been wanting to see
you," said the rich, kind voice. "They
say you look as I did at your age. They
say you are like me!"

Like her -- who was good! But no
one referred to this difference or said
anything about my sins. When we were
sorry, was evil, then, forgotten and sin
forgiven? A weight as of iron dropped
from my spirit. I sank with a sigh on