"I remember, Mistis, when you were a little thing, no higher than my knee, you were mightily taken with some red peppers growing in the garden. Your mother called you away from the bed, four or five times, and ordered you not to touch them. By and by I spied you running down the walk towards them, when you thought she didn't see you; and I was starting in a hurry to fetch you back, but she stopped me. 'No, Will!' says she, 'the punishment sin brings with it, is remembered longer than a hundred warnings. She will have a useful lesson.' I was loath to have you hurt; but I had to mind her. Your lesson was right hard; for your mouth and face and hands were swelled and burning for hours. But you didn't go near the pepper-bed again. And it seems to me, ma'am, that the Almighty treats us just so. We run crazy after things, that are like the red peppers,--pretty outside, but hot as fire when we get to playing with them. He doesn't push us towards them--_He lets us alone_; and we are mighty apt to run to Him, after we've got a fair taste. You didn't know but your mother would whip you for disobeying her; but you went straight to her when you felt the smart." "This does not follow, of course, uncle Will. I have tasted some hot peppers since those days; and I cannot see any mercy or use in the lesson." "Maybe you haven't asked an explanation, ma'am." "From whom? from you?" "No ma'am! From Him, unto whom belong the deep things of the Almighty. And if He doesn't show you their meaning now--He will, sometime. Children are often puzzled at their parents' dealings." As he was leaving, she observed his wistful look. "Have you any requests to make, uncle Will? you will not ask anything unreasonable, I know." "I hope not, ma'am. You see--we've been in the habit of holding our Sunday night prayer-meetings in the basement-room, under this. We used to meet there in your mother's time. She had the room fixed on purpose for us. When it's clear weather, in summer, we meet out-doors;--it's getting cool now--" "And you are afraid of disturbing me; is that it?" "Yes ma'am," said he, relieved. "You may be quite easy as regards that. Has that room been ceiled yet?" "No ma'am--'twould have been if--you all had stayed here." "I am glad that it is not. I can hear your hymns--how I used to love those old tunes! Have your meeting. I wish I had no other disturbance!" He had got into the entry, when she recalled him; and with the sad smile she had worn during their conversation, said, "Uncle Will! if you think I have not done hankering after forbidden fruit, you may pray, that I may be cured." "I will, Mistis! God bless you!"