Anna shrank back, afraid.
"She is a bad dog!" continued Tony. "It is not safe for you to keep her. She has bitten me."
The mother went forward and gently touched Tony's sleeve.
"Where has the dog bitten you, my poor boy?" she inquired.
"Er—on my back!" lied Tony.
"Turn around and let me see," said the good woman.
But Tony did not turn around. Instead, he fell upon his knees and clutched the skirt of Anna's mother.
"I have lied again! Oh, forgive me!" he sobbed. "What I just said was not true. Tina does not bite. She is the gentlest little dog that ever lived. And I am the greatest liar!"
He was sobbing so that the woman could hardly understand him. He tried hard to explain everything that had happened to him. But he felt weak and could barely talk.