yes; he would go anywhere, or do anything, to get some apricots.’  He did not know of your tree, he added; or he should have paid it a visit before.  I began to be sorry I had told him, and made him promise that he would not take more than three.  When it got dark, and we were set out, I felt that I was doing very wrong.  I wished to turn back; but Fred would not let me.  He said I need not take any fruit myself if I wanted to back out; but that if I did not go with him to show him the tree, he would beat me within an inch of my life.  So we came to the wicket together; it was fastened, and we clambered over the hedge.  Fred had a large basket with him, which I had several times asked him about, and tried to make him say what he brought it for.  He told me that I should see when the time came.  As soon as he got to the tree, he began gathering the apricots as fast as he could, and putting them into his basket.  I tried to hinder him, and said I would shout and wake you; but he declared that, if I did, he would kill me; and you know, Ned, he is nearly twice as big as I am, and terribly violent; so all I could do was to hold my tongue, and let him alone.  Just as we were going away, he caught up a saw that was lying in the garden, and spoiled the tree with it.  I do believe he did this just for the love of mischief, or maybe partly to spite me, because I had told him not to steal all the apricots.  He would not let me have one for my share; though I do not think I could have eaten it if he had, I was so much frightened, and so surprised at him for stealing all your fruit.  He besides ordered me not to tell what he had done, and bullied me a great deal about it, till at last I got away from him.  I was too much afraid to tell you for a good while, but I could not bear that you should think I had been so very wicked; and at last I made up my mind to tell you exactly how it was.

“I know that I have been very wrong,” continued Tom; “and that if it had not been for me the apricots would not have been stolen.  I can’t be more sorry than I am.  And now that you have heard all, Ned, will you forgive me, and try not to think as badly of me as I deserve?”

Ned said he was glad to hear Tom had had no more share in the affair; and then, holding out his hand to Tom, he assured him of his entire forgiveness.

“Indeed, Tom,” he added, “I forgave you in my heart long ago.”

“I am sure you did,” rejoined Tom warmly, “or you would not have been so kind to me.  O Ned, you cannot think how unhappy it makes me when I recollect how often I have been teasing and ill-natured to you, notwithstanding your good-nature to me!”

“Say no more about that,” replied Ned; “you have not been teasing or ill-natured lately.  We shall, I hope, always be good friends for the future.”

When Tom was gone, Ned related this conversation to his grandmother.