True Confession

Oh, but there is, I thought, for I've only just begun my confession.

"And what else, my child?"

"I talked in church 20 times, I disobeyed my mother five times, I wished harm on others several times, I told a fib three times, I talked back to my teacher twice." I held my breath.

"And to whom did you wish harm?"

My scheme had failed. He had picked out the one group of sins that most troubled me. Speaking as softly as I could, I made my admission. "I wished harm to Allie Reynolds."

"The Yankee pitcher?" he asked, surprise and concern in his voice. "And how did you wish to harm him?"

"I wanted him to break his arm."

"And how often did you make this wish?"

"Every night before going to bed, in my prayers."

"And were there others?"