“Well, I suppose you are right, auntie,” he said slowly, and with a heavy sigh; “but I shan’t find my father throwing his arms round me as George Washington’s father did, and calling me his noble boy, and telling me he had rather I told the truth than have a thousand gold and silver cherry-trees.”
“Perhaps not, Walter; but you will have, at any rate, the satisfaction of doing what will have the approval of God, and of your own conscience, and of the aunt who wants you to do the thing that is right.”
“It shall be done,” said her nephew, pressing his lips together and knitting his brows by way of strengthening his resolution; and he left the room with a reluctant step.
He found his father, who had just come from the stables, in the dining-room. “Well, Walter, my boy,” he said cheerily, “it isn’t so bad with Forester after all. He has got an ugly cut; but he doesn’t walk but very slightly lame. A week’s rest will set him all right; but I shall send that Dick about his business to-morrow, or as soon as his quarter’s up. I’d a better opinion of the boy.”
“Dick’s not to blame,” said Walter slowly.
“Not to blame! How do you make out that? I’m sure, if he had had Forester well in hand, the accident couldn’t have happened.”
Walter then gave his father the true version of the mishap, and confessed his own wrong-doing in the matter. For a few moments Mr Huntingdon looked utterly taken aback; then he walked up and down the room, at first with wide and excited strides, and then more calmly. At last he stopped, and, putting his hand on his son’s shoulder, said, “That’s right, my boy. We won’t say anything more about it this time; but you mustn’t do it again.” The truth was, the squire was not sorry to find that Dick, after all, was not the culprit; for he had a great liking for the lad, who suited him excellently as groom, and had received many kindnesses from him. No doubt he had told him an untruth on the present occasion; but then, as he had done this to screen his master’s favourite son, Mr Huntingdon did not feel disposed to take him to task severely for the deceit; and, as Walter had now made the only amends in his power, his father was glad to withdraw Dick’s dismissal, and to pass over the trouble without further comment.