“Where is John?”
“He’s in the yard.”
“Call him in,” said Mrs. Mason.
While Arthur was at the window calling to his brother, Mr. Mason, the father, came into the room.
“John has been pulling my flowers. Isn’t it too bad that a boy as big as he is should have so little consideration? They were coming out into bloom beautifully.”
Just then John entered, with a bunch of flowers also in his hand.
“John, how came you to pull my flowers?” said Mrs. Mason. “You knew it was wrong.”
“I did not think, when I pulled off a rosebud and two or three larkspurs,” replied John.
“Two or three larkspurs and a rosebud! Why, your hand is full of flowers.”
“Oh, but William Jones gave me all but the larkspurs and the rosebud. Indeed, mother, I didn’t touch any more; and I am sorry I took them; but I forgot that it was wrong when I did so.”