Taking Totu by the hand, he slunk along in the shadow of the
wall to the little gate, and soon the two were with the crowd out in
the brilliantly lighted street.
Father Somazzo was detained a short time, and when he returned to the
classroom was dumbfounded to find his favorite pupil gone. He went to
the window and called "Peppo, Peppo", but received no answer. At first
he could scarcely believe that the boy, who had always been so
obedient, could be guilty of such a grievous breach of discipline; but
as calling and searching proved of no avail, at last, with a heavy
heart, he had to admit that even good little Peppo had yielded to
temptation.
"Lord, deal not harshly with the erring," sighed the missioner, and
then he prayed: "Let not his disobedience cause him and us too much
sorrow, Blessed Virgin. Take the poor child to thy motherly bosom, and
bring him back to us in safety. Thou knowest we have great hopes for
him."
Father Somazzo could do no more than this, for he could not leave the
house alone; and, even if he had been able to do so, his attempts to
find the child in the crowds that thronged the streets would have
availed nothing.
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