This morning his mother saw him going out of the yard , with a very sorrowful and determined look , carrying his pet kitten . She did n't think much more about it until later on he came in , with the most tragic little face , and told her , his little body shaking with sobs , that he had drowned Stripey . '' ` Why did you do that ? ' Mrs. Meredith exclaimed . '' ` To bring Jem back , ' sobbed Bruce . ' I thought if I sacrificed Stripey God would send Jem back . So I drownded him -- and , oh mother , it was awful hard -- but surely God will send Jem back now , 'cause Stripey was the dearest thing I had . I just told God I would give Him Stripey if He would send Jem back . And He will , wo n't He , mother ? ' `` Mrs. Meredith did n't know what to say to the poor child . She just could not tell him that perhaps his sacrifice would n't bring Jem back -- that God did n't work that way . She told him that he must n't expect it right away -- that perhaps it would be quite a long time yet before Jem came back . `` But Bruce said , ` It ought n't to take longer 'n a week , mother . Oh , mother , Stripey was such a nice little cat . He purred so pretty . Do n't you think God ought to like him enough to let us have Jem ? '' `` Mr. Meredith is worried about the effect on Bruce 's faith in God , and Mrs. Meredith is worried about the effect on Bruce himself if his hope is n't fulfilled . And I feel as if I must cry every time I think of it . It was so splendid -- and sad -- and beautiful . The dear devoted little fellow !
He worshipped XXXXX kitten .
So about before if in on that to until with