"Mamma and papa say that truly obedient children don't do what they know their parents would forbid if they were present," said Eddie.
"I say nobody but a coward would be afraid to venture on that bridge," said Herbert, ignoring Eddie's last remark. "Suppose it should break and let you fall! the worst would be a ducking."
"De watah's deep, Marse Herbert, and you might git drownded!" said Uncle Joe. "Or maybe some ob de timbahs fall on you an' break yo' leg or yo' back."
They were now close to the bridge.
"It's very high up above the water," said Harry, "and a good many boards are off: I'd be afraid to go on it."
"Coward!" sneered his brother. "Are you afraid too, Ed?"
"Yes, I'm afraid to disobey my father; because that's disobeying God."
"Did your father ever say a word about not going on this bridge?"
"No; but he's told me never to run into danger needlessly; that is when there's nothing to be gained by it for myself or anybody else."
"Before I'd be such a coward!" muttered Herbert, deliberately walking on to the bridge.