Before they were half-way home, he determined to tell his mother all that had occurred at school, ending with, "It's bad enough to be whipped for whispering, ma; but if I had been talked to before the school for lying, I should have felt so mean, I never could have shown my face there again."
"And that is not the worst of it, my dear son," said the lady; "the exposure before the school was mortifying, to be sure; but that is nothing compared to the displeasure of our heavenly Father. There is no sin which appears to good people more mean and despicable than lying, and there is none which God abhors more."
"Well, mother," said Frankie, "I'm resolved I'll never, never tell another lie. You know I haven't told one for a long time."
"May God help you to keep so good a resolution!" said Colonel Jameson, very solemnly, laying his hand on the boy's head. "Be truthful and obedient, and you will not only have the friendship of all good people; but God, your heavenly Father, will reward you with his favor."
Tony, at this, sprang into Frankie's arms, and laid her head on his breast.
Colonel Jameson smiled as he saw the little boy lay his cheek against Tony's nose. He loved Frankie for the kind care he took of the dog. After a while he asked,—
"Frankie, can you guess what brought me out here to day?"
"No, sir."
"I came to get permission for you and Tony to go with me to the sea-shore. There is nice bathing there."
"Oh! Oh!" screamed the boy. "I'm so glad. May I go, ma?"