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 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."
The little boys promised him they never would—and they never did; and they grew up to be honest and good men.
[THE LITTLE BOY THAT WAS AFRAID OF THE WATER.]
Once on a time there were two little boys. William was five years old, and Johnny was not quite three. The weather was very warm, and these little boys got so weak, and looked so pale and sick, that the doctor said their parents had better take them to Hastings, and let them bathe in the sea. So their Mother packed up their clothes, and some books, for she did not wish them to be idle; and one pleasant afternoon they all went by the railway to Hastings.