And when John came out on Monday, he looked like a different boy; he
had lost his fractious, rebellious look; he spoke as civilly as could
be expected of a small Merrifield, and showed no signs of being set
against his lessons. To be sure it was a bad way of spending a
Sunday, to be laid up with ailments brought on by over-eating; but
even this was better than spending it, like the former one, in wilful
misbehaviour; and John, who knew that Papa, Mamma, brothers, and
sisters all alike detested and despised real greediness, had been
heartily ashamed of himself, both for this and his forfeits. A new
week was a new starting-point, and he meant to spend this one well.
For indeed it is one of the blessings of our lives that we have so
many stages--days, weeks, years, and the like--from each of which we
may make fresh starts, feel old things left behind, and go on to lead
a new life.
Besides, Johnnie was quite well now; and perhaps no child, so well
brought up, could have been so constantly naughty the whole week
without some degree of ailment, suspected neither by himself nor
others.
Pages:
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128