Teddy shook hands with the old lady and the young one, and then seated himself in the big chair opposite Mrs. Green.
'What have you been doing?' the latter inquired; 'how is it your mother can't keep you out of mischief?'
'I haven't been in mischief, really I haven't'; and poor Teddy felt the truth of the saying, 'Give a dog a bad name, and hang him.'
He tried to tell his story, and then when that did not seem to be understood, he deftly changed the subject.
'What does Farmer Green like best in the world?' he asked.
This astonishing question struck Mrs. Green dumb, but her daughter
Natty laughed.
'Gooseberry pudding!' she said. 'Now then, what's the next question?
But Teddy was silent, and not another word did he say till the farmer came in again.
'This youngster is on the tack of reforming himself, Mary Ann,' said Jonathan, sitting down in the chair that Teddy immediately vacated upon his entrance; 'do you believe it?'
'I have no faith in boys,' said Mrs. Green, with a shake of her head, 'they're all alike, and are always taking you unawares!'