"That's the baby who had to go and beg Jim's pardon," said a close friend of Jim's to Ben on coming home from school the same day. Ben's cheeks flushed and he bit his lips, then he turned to the boy-- "I am in the baby class," he said, "and it's enough to make you laugh to see such a big boy as I am there, but I'm not going to stay in it--I mean to try and get out in two weeks, and as you know such a lot you might help me to read. I did tell Jim I was sorry, and so I _am_, because I've made a _lot_ of people sorry." It was a great effort for Ben to say this, but it had its effect; the boy didn't know what to reply, and ran off. After a few days the others left off teasing Ben about his lessons, for he was not afraid to own the truth,--and in a fortnight the master put him in another class. But Jim did not forgive Ben. CHAPTER IX. IN THE STORM. It was just such another day as when the Sunday School children had played about in the meadows six weeks before. The rays of the sun were very hot, though a gentle breeze stirred the branches of the trees around. Far in the distance was a dark line of cloud, but it was so far away that one did not notice it. Little Kit was looking rather pale; and when Ben ran in from school the mother said-- "You might take Kit for a ride in the perambulator, Ben. Be back in time for tea." She could trust him perfectly with Kit now, as he had proved himself very careful, and after tucking the little girl comfortably into the "coach," she put pieces of bread and jam into their hands, and they started off towards the country. Ben was very anxious to show Kit a bird's nest he had discovered in a bush on the outskirts of a wood some distance away, but there would be plenty of time to reach the place and get back for tea, if they were quick. So he ran along the shady side of the road, pushing Kit merrily. "The nest is empty now, Kit, but you'll like to see where the young birds were hatched. It was such a cosy warm place." "Something like my little crib, Ben." "Very much like that, Kit, and you look like a little bird yourself at night, with your head peeping out and your eyes shining bright like beads." Kit laughed, "I wonder if angels watch over little birds at night?" "Well--father said not one of them falls to the ground without God knowing it, so may be they are watched over. Folks say that little 'birds' praise Him by their singing; anyhow it sounds as if they chirped something solemn at night when the sun has gone down. I've heard them in that wood over there." "It's nice to think of little birds thanking Him, isn't it?" said Kit. "Yes; and we ought never to forget to thank Him also, for we've got far more nice things than they." As they passed along the hedgerow and neared the wood, Jim Snow sprang out upon them with a howl which caused Kit to scream with terror, whereupon he set up his mocking laugh.