Vernon brought out all his playthings and gave half of them to Harry; he showed him how to make Rags do all sorts of funny tricks; he let him feed the rabbits and the guinea-pigs; and when they went to ride, he let Harry drive the pony. How the little fellow did enjoy holding the reins and riding in a red pony-cart like those he had looked at so many times before with longing eyes.
The two boys ran races, played ball, and went to school together. Vernon never complained of being lonely, and as for Harry, he was the happiest boy you ever saw. He tried to show how grateful he was for everything that Mr. and Mrs. Houston did for him; and he resolved to study hard, to be honest and true, and never to forget to do all in his power to repay his kind friends.
The brothers had a room together with two white beds standing side by side. One night Mr. Houston came home very late and found that the boys had gone to bed, so he went to their room to bid them good-night.
He was much surprised to find both the boys reading a book, with a lighted lamp on a little stand between their beds.
"My sons," he said very seriously, "I always like to see you enjoying your books, but I cannot allow you to read after you are in bed."
"Why not, Father?" questioned Vernon.
"Because it is a dangerous thing to do," Mr. Houston replied. "You might fall asleep without blowing out the light. It is a common thing to have such an accident. Lamps are often tipped over and houses set on fire in just that way."
"But, Father," urged Vernon, "please let us finish this chapter. It will take only a few minutes longer, and it is such a good story."
"You may finish this one chapter," Mr. Houston answered. "Then you must blow out the light, and after to-night there must be no more reading in bed with a lighted lamp."
The boys meant to obey their father; but they were both very sleepy, and before the end of the chapter was reached, they were sound asleep.