'"Amen," said Ralph, as he turned to his abhorrent task with an energy
equal to the guilt of the criminal.

'George bore the severe castigation without a murmur. When it was over,
Doctor Leatrim told him to go to his own room, and pray to God to
soften his hard and impenitent heart.

'As the boy passed his father on his way out, he gave him a look full
of love and compassion, and said, in a firm voice:

'"Sir, I pity and forgive you. If you have erred, it was under the full
conviction that you were doing your duty."

'He closed the door softly, and staggered up to his own chamber.

'What was there in that look that went so home to the heart of the
stern father--in those loving, broken words of the poor abused boy? If
they did not stagger the conviction of his guilt, they made him feel
most unhappy. Had he acted well, or wisely, or like a Christian? Was
the punishment that he had inflicted--so harsh and degrading to a
sensitive mind--likely to produce the desired effect? He could not
answer the question in a manner at all satisfactory to his mind, or
still the sharp upbraidings of conscience; and flinging himself upon
his knees, he buried his face in his hands, and offered up to God an
agony of repentant tears.