Page:The Children of the New Forest - 1847 - Marryat.djvu/220

 So thought Edward, as he paced before the cottage, until he was summoned in by Pablo to their evening meal.  

"," said Edith, "scold Pablo, he has been ill-treating my poor cat; he is a cruel boy."

Pablo laughed.

"See, Edward, he's laughing: put him in the pit-fall again, and let him stay there till he says he is sorry."

"I very sorry now, Missy Edith, but cat bite me," said Pablo.

"Well, if pussy did, it didn't hurt you much; and what did I tell you this morning out of the Bible?—that you must forgive them who behave ill to you."

"Yes, Missy Edith, you tell me all that, and so I do; I forgive pussy 'cause she bite me, but I kick her for it."

"That's not forgiveness, is it, Edward? you should have forgiven it at once, and not kicked it at all."

"Miss Edith, when pussy bite me, pussy hurt me, make me angry and I give her a kick; then I think what you tell me, and I do as you tell me. I forgive pussy with all my heart."

"I think you must forgive Pablo, Edith," said Edward, "if it is only to set him a good example."

"Well, I will this time; but if he kicks pussy again he must be put in the pit-fall—mind that, Pablo."

"Yes, Missy Edith, I go into pit-fall and then you cry, and ask Master Edward to take me out. When you have me put in pit-fall, then you not good Christian, cause you not forgive; when you cry and take me out, then you good Christian once more."

By this conversation it will appear to the reader, that they had been trying to impress Pablo with the principles of the Christian 