You see I was only miserable; I was not repentant.

I was eating the husks with the swine, and did not relish them; but I had not said, "I will arise and go to my father".
How I got through the rest of that evening I hardly know.

I tried to read, but could not.

I was rather fond of arithmetic; so I got my slate and tried to work a sum; but in a few moments I was sick of it.
At family prayers I never lifted my head to look at my father, and when they were over, and I had said good night to him, I felt that I was sneaking out of the room.

But I had some small sense of protection and safety when once in bed beside little Davie, who was sound asleep, and looked as innocent as little Samuel when the voice of God was going to call him.