‘Better to die
Than ever to lie,’”
“Ha! ha!” said Wolf; “I wish you lived with Ralph. He would teach you another lesson, my lad.”
“I would rather that I had you, Wolf, to live in my house. I would be kind to you, and help you to be good, and tell you about God, who lives in the sky.”
“And is that He who is speaking? Listen!”
Thunder began to mutter in the sky.
“Yes, it is He,” replied Eric; “and if you listen, you will also hear Him often speak with a small still voice in your heart.”
“I never heard Him,” replied Wolf; “but I cannot stay longer with you, for my pigs will wander: there is a black rascal who always leads them astray. Now, king’s son, give Wolf the stick; it is all he has.”
“Here it is to you, and I am sure you will not use it wrongly; you will try to be good, Wolf? for it will make you happy.”
“Humph!” said Wolf, “I am happy when I get my pigs home, and Ralph does not strike me. But I must away, and see you don’t tell any one you gave me money. They would rob me.” And away he ran among the trees in search of his pigs, while Eric heard his little drum, and his song of “Rub-a-dub, halloo!” die away in the distance.