"Too bad!" mournfully spoke George, with big tears starting to his eyes. "I wish I had never made the attempt to ride him."
"I wish so now," answered one of his companions; "but who ever thought that the colt could kill himself?"
"Mother will feel bad enough now," continued George. "I am sorry that I have caused her so much trouble."
"What shall you tell her?" inquired a companion.
"I shall tell her the truth," manfully answered George; "that is all there is to tell about it."
The boys were soon at the breakfast-table, as cheerful as the circumstances would permit.
"Well, boys, have you seen the Arabian colt in your walks this morning?" Mrs. Washington inquired.
There was no reply for a moment. The boys looked at each other as if the crisis had come, and they were not quite prepared for it. At length George answered frankly:
"Mother, the colt is dead."