CHAPTER XX.
A NARROW ESCAPE.
So keenly did Bert feel his disgrace, that it was some time before he regained his wonted spirits; and his continued depression gave his mother no little concern, so that she took every way of showing to him that her confidence in him was unimpaired, and that she asked no further proof of his penitence than he had already given. But Bert's sensitive nature had received a shock from which it did not readily recover. From his earliest days he had been peculiarly free from the desire to take what did not belong to him; and as he grew older, this had developed into a positive aversion to anything that savoured of stealing in the slightest degree. He never could see any fun in "hooking" another boy's lunch, as so many others did, and nothing could induce him to join in one of the numerous expeditions organised to raid sundry unguarded orchards in the outskirts of the city.
His firmness upon this point led to a curious scene one afternoon. School was just out, and a group of the boys, among whom were Bert, and, of course, Frank Bowser, was discussing what they should do with themselves, when Ned Ross proposed that they should go out to the Hosterman orchard, and see if they could not get some apples. A chorus of approval came from all but Bert, who immediately turned away and made as though he would go home.
"Hallo! Bert," cried Ned Ross, "aren't you coming?"
"No," replied Bert, very decidedly. "I'm not."
"Why not?" inquired Ned. "What's the matter?"
"Those are not our apples, Ned, and we've got no right to touch 'em," answered Bert.
"Bosh and nonsense!" exclaimed Ned. "All the boys take them, and nobody ever hinders them. Come along."