“And get upset,” said his sister.
“And swim to land, like a good fellow,” said Frank.
“And beg a lodging and supper, half-drowned and half-starved, of old black Jane,” added Mary.
“And get chased by Squire Jones’s dogs,” said Frank.
“Up into the hay-loft,” added Mary.
“And fall and break my arm,” said Frank, with a look at his now useless limb in the handkerchief.
“Yes, my poor boy,” said his father, drawing Frank between his knees, and parting the hair affectionately over his forehead. “All these mishaps certainly befell you, in consequence of your playing truant.
“I read this little story I have been telling you, a great many years ago, when I was a little boy, as you are now. When I began to-night, I was going to tell it as I read it, as near as I could recollect; but it seemed to make so much amusement for you all, that I altered it a little as I went along.
“You have suffered severely for disobedience; but you must thank your Father in Heaven for preserving your life, and for giving you a lesson in your youth, which you will never forget, I hope, let you live as long as you may.”