THE GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY.
have gone a great way towards teaching her to read the Bible; in one year she might have learned a great many hymns, and a great many useful things, which would have been of service to her when she was old enough to get her own living. And for what have you thrown all this good from you and from her?'
'I am very, very sorry. I did not mean to buy the accordion: I forgot, when I heard Mr. Miller playing upon it, that I had better not listen; and I never remembered what I had done till it was mine, and folded up in paper.'
'You forgot till it was too late?'
'Yes, mamma; but, O, I am so sorry. I am sure I shall never do so any more.'
'Do not say so, my child; I fear it will happen again, many, many times.'
'Many times? O mamma! I will never go into Mr. Miller's shop again.'
'My dear child, do you think there is nothing in the world that can tempt you but Mr. Miller's shop? '
'Even if I go there,' I sobbed, in the bitterness of my sorrow, 'it will not matter now, for I have now no half-sovereign left to spend; but if I had another, and he were to show me the most beautiful toys in the world, I would not buy them after this—not if they would play of themselves.'
'My dear, that may be true; you, perhaps, would not be tempted again when you were on your guard; but you know, Orris, you do not wish for another toy of that kind. Are there no temptations against which you are not on your guard?'
I thought my mother spoke in a tone of sorrow. I
