slight debate, yielded to this inclination. A little forbearance and
kindness would have softened the child's feelings, and prompted him
to enter the right way. But the iron hand was never relaxed, and
there was no room beneath it for the crushed heart of the boy to
swell with better impulses.

At supper time, on that evening, the boy was absent. He should have
been at home nearly two hours before.

"Where is Andrew?" asked Mr. Howland, as they gathered at the table.

"I'm sure I don't know," replied Mrs. Howland, in a voice touched
with a deeper concern than usual.

"Has he been home since school was dismissed?"

"No."

"Was there ever such a boy!" exclaimed Mr. Howland.

"Most probably he has been kept in," suggested the mother.

"Edward, go round to the house of his teacher and ask if he was
dismissed at five o'clock," said Mr. Howland.

Edward left the table and went on his errand. He soon returned with
word that Andrew had not been to school all day.

Knife and fork fell from the hands of Mr. Howland, and the mother's
face instantly grew pale.