The Little Girl Who Was Taught by Experience

by Anonymous

repentance, "tell me, shall I forget this too?--shall I forget howpatiently you have watched by me all through my sickness, and how kindlyyou have spoken to me, just as if I had not brought it all onmyself--and though I have often, very often been cross to Emily, andnever liked to share any of my good things with her, she has left allher companions, and all her plays and pleasures to come and sit up inthis dark, dull room, to amuse me and wait upon me--shall I--can Iforget all this as I did the other things?"

  "No my dear, penitent girl," said her aunt, kissing her affectionately,"you have indeed paid most dearly, (as I have feared you would) for yourinstruction. I rejoice to see that you are determined to improve bythese painful lessons, they will not I am sure be lost upon you; God hasmercifully spared your life. When I think of your dreadful fall, and allthe circumstances of that sad day, I am truly astonished that you havelived through them all, that your neck as well as your limbs was notbroken; and when I remember the chance there was of your taking so muchof that horrible poison into your stomach, as would have rendered allmedicines useless, I shudder at the thought; you have felt the danger,and have suffered much pain--you know your own faults have caused itall--you say you repent, and if you do so sincerely you will amend."

  "Oh, I do, I do repent," sobbed Lucy.

  "Then be comforted my love--you will amend, and be forgiven, I amcertain, and we shall all have reason to rejoice with you, and blessthese distressing but most useful lessons of _experience_.