"In a few minutes the troops were assembled, and, making their way down
the steep steps, they charged at the enemy, and followed them into the
valley.
"Late on the following evening the soldiers returned, but not all, for
many were killed--and they brought back news of a great victory. The
enemy was routed and the town saved. So you see, children," said mother
gravely, "how much better it is to do what is right. If that young
sentinel had left his post, even though it were to help the men in the
other tower, the enemy would have climbed up those steps and got into
the town. You must try to remember this always. You should have obeyed
nurse, and remembered that she was trusting you to do what she had said.
It was a kind thought of yours to try to rescue Poor Jane's brother, but
obedience to nurse should have come first."
[Sidenote: Jane's Delusion]
"But we forgot, mummie," said Humpty.
"What would have happened if the sentinel had forgotten that he was
trusted to do his duty, and stay in the tower?"
Humpty was silent.
"And now," said mummie cheerfully, "we will forget all about the
terrible fright you have given us, and you must try to remember what I
have said. I want to know all about Poor Jane's brother," she continued,
smiling; "is it some one you have been imagining about?"
"Oh, no!" cried the twins at once. And then they told her of the
conversation which they had had with Poor Jane, and of what she had said
about her brother.
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