“‘Thou shalt not kill.’ I am sure I did not do that.”
Mr. Penrose. “Not if you did not get angry at the horses, or overdrive them.”
Rupert. “We could not get angry at them; they are such noble fellows, and went so free: but they were all in a lather when they got to the stable. I cannot say they are not hurt, but that was not my fault, you know.”
Mr. Penrose. “If they were hurt, I am afraid you will have to bear a little of the blame; as you were probably the cause of the extra ride.”
Rupert. (Looking at the Bible,) “‘Thou shalt not commit adultery.’ That has nothing to do with horses. ‘Thou shalt not steal.’ We did not steal, at any rate! ‘Thou’”——
Mr. Penrose. “Stop, stop! Rupert. Not so fast. Do not skip over the eighth commandment so swiftly. Did Mr. Strong know that John had his horses and sleigh?”
Rupert. “No, sir, I do not think he did. I suppose he expected John would take them directly to the stable, when he left the family at church.”
Mr. Penrose. “Then you were both using what belonged to another, in a way that the owner would not have liked; and in doing this you broke the eighth commandment.”
Rupert. “O dear, uncle! I hope that you won’t make out that I broke any more of the commandments. I know that I did not break the ninth.”
Mr. Penrose. “Read the ninth commandment to me, Rupert.”