"You know it perfectly," said his teacher; "you are a good boy. Now go to your seat."
In a few moments he said, "George, come and say your lesson."
But George did not know a word of it; and James whispered to him, "I don't want you to be punished, brother; I will go for you and say it again."
So James went and repeated his lesson. The teacher thought of course it was George; he said, "Very well indeed, George; you know it just as well as James: you are both good boys."
When George heard this praise, which he did not deserve, he was troubled. He had been taught never to deceive. He did not think at first how wrong he had been; now, he saw plainly, that it was very wrong; that he and his brother had been acting a lie.
He whispered to James, "Brother, I can't bear to cheat, so I will go right away and tell the teacher."
So he went directly up to the desk, and said, "Sir, I have not yet said my lesson."
"Why, yes you have," replied the teacher, "I have just heard you say it."
"No, sir, if you please," said George, "I do not know it at all. James said it twice, to save me from being punished."
"Well, George," replied his teacher, "I am very glad you have told me this. I never should have found it out. But your conscience told you that you were doing wrong; and I am thankful you have listened to its warnings, and made up your mind at once, to be an honest boy. I will not punish you, or James, for I am sure neither of you will do so again."