"You must have known only boys who were liars. Did you not speak the truth yourself when you were young?"
Brian pulled at his jacket to modify his speech. Jeff wrenched it away.
"Don't touch me, Brian; I shall say what I like; and I know you don't always speak the truth. Uncle Hugh, don't you know it is only cowards who make false promises? Can't you trust me? No one who is brave—really brave—or who tries to be brave—would tell a lie."
But the appeal seemed to fall on deaf ears.
Not long after this little scene the Rev. Mr. M'Gregor had reason to complain of Jeff's negligence. He was very inattentive to instruction and his lessons were never properly prepared.
"The boy, moreover, Mr. Colquhoun, has a tiresome habit of reasoning with regard to actions, even my actions. This approaches disrespect. Logic, you are aware, cannot be conveniently applied to every circumstance of life."
"It ought to be," said rigid Mr. Colquhoun, with a certain degree of sternness.
"I respect the boy for his fearless questionings and outspoken sentiments, though I admit they are embarrassing at times."
"I am not sure, Mr. M'Gregor, if Geoffry does not teach us a lesson sometimes."
Uncle Hugh called him Geoffry, much to Jeff's amusement.