Tommy began to whistle louder, and as he turned in at the gate, his countenance was beaming with innocence.
He bounded up the steps with the intention of getting into the house as quickly as possible, but as his hand touched the latch a stentorian voice said,—
"Thomas!"
The boy stopped short, his eyes round with surprise, his lips still puckered for the whistling that had been so abruptly quelled.
"I called for you at school to-day."
"Called for me at school to-day," echoed Tommy, reddening in dismay.
"I did. I found that I must drive out to Squire Bagley's place, and I decided to take you along. It seems that you had already given Mr. Burroughs an excuse from me."
Tommy's fingers began to pick at his jacket, and he racked his brains for a story that would fit the occasion.
"Well, father, I thought—"
"Silence, if you please! I am terribly shocked to find that my son would deliberately write and act a lie. Such conduct deserves the severest punishment. Will you take your whipping before tea or after?"