"'Ah, William! you are the very one that I wish to see,' said Mr. Jones, smiling. 'I am going out this morning, and want company. We shall have a beautiful day.'
"'But my father told me yesterday,' I replied, 'that he did not wish me to go out with you.'
"'And why not, pray?' asked Mr. Jones.
"'I am sure that I do not know,' I said; 'but, indeed, I should like to go very much.'
"'Oh, never mind; come along,' he said. 'Your father will never know it.'
"'Yes, but I am afraid that he will,' I replied, thinking more of my father's displeasure than of the evil of disobedience.
"'There is no danger at all of that. We will be home again long before dinner-time.'
"I hesitated, and he urged; and finally, I moved the way that he was going, and had proceeded a few hundred yards, when I stopped, and said,—
"'I don't like to go, Mr. Jones.'
"'Nonsense, William! There is no harm in fishing, I am sure. I have often been out with your father myself.'