"I want to talk to you a little about this," said he. "You know you gave me leave to be your brother — will you let me ask you a question or two?" "Oh, yes — whatever he pleased," Ellen said. "Then sit down here," said he, making room for her on the wide window-seat, but still keeping hold of her hand and speaking very gently. "You said you saw when you took the morocco — I don't quite understand — how was it?" "Why," said Ellen, "we were not to look, and we had gone three times round, and nobody had got that large piece yet, and we all wanted it; and I did not mean to look at all, but I don't know how it was, just before I shut my eyes I happened to see the corner of it sticking up, and then I took it." "With your eyes open?" "No, no, with them shut. And I had scarcely got it when I was sorry for it, and wished it back." "You will wonder at me, perhaps, Ellie," said John, "but I am not very sorry this has happened. You are no worse than before; it has only made you see what you are — very, very weak — quite unable to keep yourself right without constant help. Sudden temptation was too much for you — so it has many a time been for me, and so it has happened to the best men on earth. I suppose if you had had a minute's time to think, you would not have done as you did?" "No, indeed!" said Ellen. "I was sorry a minute after." "And I dare say the thought of it weighed upon your mind ever since?" "Oh, yes!" said Ellen; "it wasn't out of my head a minute the whole day." "Then let it make you very humble, dear Ellie, and let it make you in future keep close to our dear Saviour, without whose help we cannot stand a moment." Ellen sobbed; and he allowed her to do so for a few minutes, then said — "But you have not been thinking much about Him, Ellie?" The sobs ceased; he saw his words had taken hold. "Is it right," he said, softly, "that we should be more troubled about what people will think of us, than for having displeased or dishonoured Him?" Ellen now looked up, and in her look was all the answer he wished. "You understand me, I see," said he. "Be humbled in the dust before him — the more the better; but whenever we are greatly concerned, for our own sakes, about other people's opinion, we may be sure we are thinking too little of God and what will please him." "I am very sorry," said poor Ellen, from whose eyes the tears began to drop again — "I am very wrong: but I couldn't bear to think what Alice would think — and you — and all of them." "Here's Alice to speak for herself," said John. As Alice came up with a quick step and knelt down before her, Ellen sprang to her neck, and they held each other very fast indeed. John walked up and down the room. Presently he stopped before them. "All's well again," said Alice, "and we are going in to tea."