He meant to give
their money back, he did not mean to steal from any one, but he took what
was not his own and lost it and the people had to suffer, for he had no
money to pay them with."
"That is sad," said Prue.
"Yes, it was very sad, for he had done a dreadful thing and sinned
against God. Do you think he ought to be punished?"
"Yes, if he took poor people's money and little children's money and
could not give it back."
"So people thought, and he was punished: he was sent to prison."
"To _prison_! Oh, that was dreadful."
"And he had to stay there for years and work hard, with other wicked
men."
"Wasn't he sorry?"
"He was very sorry. It almost killed him. He would gladly have worked to
give the money back but he could not earn so much. He saw how foolish
and wicked he had been to think himself so strong and trustworthy and
good when he was so weak. And when he saw how wicked he was he fell down
before God and asked God to forgive him. His life was spoiled, he could
not be happy in this world; but, as God forgave him, he could begin
again and be honest and trustworthy, and be happy in Heaven because he
was a great sinner and Christ had died for him."
"Did his sins _hurt_ Christ?" Prue asked.
"Yes."
"I'm sorry he hurt Christ," said Prue sorrowfully.
"He was sorry, too."
"Is that all?"
"Yes, he died, and we hope he is in Heaven tonight, praising God for
saving sinners."
"I don't think that is such a sad story.
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