Ben tried not to look or to heed him, though he felt the insult very keenly. The little fellow's heart swelled within him as he walked home, and some of the boys in the class ran by him crying, "Baby, baby." "I should like to show them I'm no baby," he said to himself, as he unconsciously clenched his fist. A minute after, as he neared the cottage gate, Jim overtook him. Ben's spirit rose as the boy asked, "If he would like to be carried home, as he was in the baby class; he surely was not fit to walk alone." "Be off, and stop your nonsense," said Ben, "or I will pay you back." Jim went on with his teasing talk, and Ben, forgetting all his good resolutions, flew at him. Of course, Jim returned the blow, and so blow for blow was given, and for a minute the boys fought. Ben was strong and fearless, but Jim was the bigger, though he was not nearly so brave, and he might have given in, but a cry from the gate of Wood Cottage recalled Ben to his senses, and at the same moment a hand was laid on his shoulder. A lady stood before the boys, saying, "Shame on you both, are you not afraid to stand fighting there with the eye of God looking upon you? and you are too big to strike such a little boy," she said, looking at Jim. Ben's eyes turned towards the gate where Kit was standing with a distressed face. She had stopped screaming when they left off fighting, and now her arms were spread out appealingly to Ben. Jim slunk off, muttering angry words. He was rather glad to escape, for his courage had nearly forsaken him, but, as he turned to go, Ben saw that his lip was bleeding. Remorse set in directly; all his anger was gone, and Ben was miserable. He would have given all that he had now to live the last ten minutes over again. But that could not be; and Ben must reap what he had sown. He stood irresolute. The lady was beside him. "Where do you live?" she asked, kindly. Something in the boy's sad face interested her, red and heated as it was with the last few minutes' work. That work had left its effect in Ben's face, and he held his handkerchief to a scratch on his cheek. Ben glanced down the road where Kit stood waiting anxiously. "There," he answered, pointing with his hand, "but I've a good mind to run away and never come back; I would in a minute if it wasn't for that little girl standing there. She would be awfully sorry, but I'm not fit to live in a place like that. You see, I can't keep my spirit down." The lady put her hand on his shoulder, and drew him along with her towards Kit as she said-- "There is One who would help you, little boy, if you would ask Him." The tears rolled down Ben's cheeks. "That's the worst bit of all," he answered. "How so, my boy?" "Because He's been--so--good, and I've tried to do what He wants me to, and now I've spoilt it all." They had reached the cottage gate, and Kit had slipped her hand into Ben's, and looked up wonderingly into the lady's face, while she drew some frightened sobs.