THE SONG OF THE ANGELS.
237
pencil." His aunt left him to his play, and went in search of the mother of the boys. Taking her seat by her side in the dining room, she asked if she knew anything of the knife she had given to Alfred. "No," she said, "I have not seen it for some time, but I think I heard James admiring it on Monday." "I am afraid it is lost, sister," continued the aunt, "but this is not the worst part of it. I am sadly afraid Alfred has told an untruth about the affair." "I hope not," replied the mother, "I never knew either of my boys to be guilty of anything so shocking. Where is he?" "I believe he is gone to his room."
