“But I am sure it can be no one but Tom; for only yesterday, when I told him about my apricots, and the money I expected to get for them, he said he wished he knew how to get some, that he might have money too.  Oh! if I could but get hold of him—­”

Again he stopped, and thought of our Saviour’s words; then, turning to his grandmother, he said, “Whoever it is that has robbed us of the fruit, I forgive him, even if it is Tom Andrews.”

Ned went to work that day with a heavy heart.  Tom Andrews was in high glee; for his master had said he would give him another week’s trial.  Ned told him of the misfortune that had happened to him, and thought that Tom looked rather confused.  He also remarked that his companion had not got the red handkerchief on that he usually wore about his neck; and he asked him the reason.

“I tore it last night, scrambling through a hedge,” replied Tom carelessly.

“How came you to be scrambling through a hedge last night?” inquired Ned.

“What makes you ask me that question?” returned the other, sharply.

“Because,” answered Ned, fixing his eyes upon him, “because the person who stole my apricots left part of a red handkerchief hanging on our hedge.”

“Do you mean to say, then, that I stole them?” exclaimed his companion, in an angry tone.  “I’ll teach you to tell this of me.”

So saying, he struck Ned a blow on the face with his fist, before Ned was aware what he was going to do.

Ned was very much tempted to strike in return; but just as he raised his arm, something seemed to whisper that he ought not to do so; and, drawing back a few steps, he called after Tom, who was beginning to run away, saying,

“You need not be afraid of me.  I am not going to strike you, though you did strike me; because it is wrong to return evil for evil.”

“Fine talking, indeed!” rejoined Tom, tauntingly.  “I know very well the reason why you will not strike me again.  You dare not, because I am the biggest and strongest.  You are afraid of me.”

Now Ned was no coward.  He would have fought in a good cause with a boy twice his size; and he was very much provoked at the words and manner of his companion.

He had a hard struggle with himself not to return the blow; but he kept firm to the good resolution he had made, and went away.

As he was returning home very sorrowful, he could not help thinking how happy he had expected to be that evening; and he regretted extremely that his grandmother would have no cloak to keep her warm in the cold weather.  Still, the recollection that he had patiently borne the blow and insulting speeches of Tom, and thus endeavoured to put in practice the good precepts he had been taught, consoled him, and made him feel less sad than he would otherwise have been.

“How did you get that black eye, Ned?” asked his grandmother, as soon as she saw him.  “I hope you have not been fighting.”