'My! you may do as you like about that. I ain't in such a hurry to be forgiven. But what I mean is, you ain't to tell your father nor nobody where you found me.'
'I must tell papa if he asks me,' said Willie.
'Then you shan't have the 'mometer; I'll pitch it into the pond.'
'That would be wicked,' said undaunted Willie, 'for it does not belong to you.'
'Can't help that; here goes,' and he held it over the edge of the pond. 'It'll be in in another minute if you don't say you'll not tell your father.'
'I shan't tell him if he doesn't say I am to; but if he does, I must.'
'Why must you?'
'Because I must obey him, even when I'd rather not; it's right.'
'That beats all,' said Bob in unbounded surprise; but he didn't throw the thermometer into the pond. It was some time, however, before Willie could persuade him to give it up, though at length he did, and received the shilling, observing,