catches up with Abe, who is whistling as he strides along. She makes a sudden spring, and lands on her brother's shoulders. Pressing her knees against his back she pulls him down upon the ground. His ax falls and makes a sharp cut in her knee.)
Matilda (screaming),—Oh, Oh, Oh!
Abe,—Sh! there! there! don't be scared. I'll have it all right in a minute. (He tears off a strip of cloth from his ragged shirt sleeve, and binds it about the girl's knee.)
Matilda (still crying),—Oh, Oh, Oh!
Abe,—'Tilda, how could you? I am astonished. To think that you should disobey your mother.
Matilda (rocking herself to and fro),—Oh, Oh, Oh!
Abe (sternly now),—What will you tell mother? How will you explain about getting hurt?
Matilda,—I'll tell her that I did it with the ax. Isn't that the truth?
Abe,—Yes, Tilda, it is the truth, but it isn't the whole truth. Be a brave girl when you go home. Tell your mother the whole truth, and leave the rest to her.
