HE KNEW ALL ABOUT IT.
"REX, have you studied your Sabbath-school lesson?"
"Not tonight. There isn't need this time."
"No need! Why not?" queried Rex's mother.
"Because," replied Rex, promptly, " the lesson is the story of David and Goliath. I've heard it over and over-it's the one I always liked, you know-till I know all about it.
I don't need to look it up. I almost believe I can tell it now better than the teacher can."
"You are sure you know all about it? Very well; then I will ask you a question on the subject."
"All right. I can answer any number of questions on that story," replied Rex cheerfully.
"What became of Goliath's sword?"
Rex whistled. Somehow the promised answer was not so quick and ready as he had expected to have it.
"You remember," explained his mother, "that David cut off the giant's head-not with his own sword, for he had none, but with Goliath's, which he drew out of its sheath for the purpose. And after that, what was done with the sword?"
"Why, I never heard. That isn't in the story, is it?" cried Rex.
"A boy who knows all about it ought to be able to tell," replied his mother. And again Rex took refuge in whistling.
"Well, mother, I expect I'll have to own you've caught me this time," he confessed, at last; "and now are you going to tell me about it?"
"Any time when you are ready for the lesson," was the answer.
So, at the hint, Rex left his shavings, packed his tools, and joined his mother at the library table among her books and papers.
Now then, please, mother! What really became of the giant's sword?"
"When we hear of the sword again," said the mother with a smile, "the shepherd boy, David, who was, at first, soothing and dear to King Saul in those strange, dark moods that tormented hint, had become a presence the fickle king could not bear. David had had to flee for his life, and we find him, as he flies, coming to Ahimelech, the priest, asking for food and help. And he asks for another thing,-a spear or sword. Read me what the priest answered; here it is." Rex looked at the place pointed out and read thus:-
"And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod; if thou wilt take that, take it, for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me."
"Now that is worth knowing; I'm glad you've showed me that mother," said Rex heartily. "I won’t say anything more against studying my lesson every week."
The Young Churchman