20
“With all my heart,” said Charles; and both boys ran to the fireside to awaken the little dog. there was standing upon the hearth a basin of milk, as they did not observe it, (for it was placed ⟨behind⟩ them,) they began to make rare fun in playing with ⟨the⟩ dog; but unfortunately they kicked over the basin ⟨with⟩ their feet, and broke it, and the whole milk ran ⟨on⟩ the hearth and all around on the floor.
Now, when the little boys saw what had ⟨happened⟩ they were very much alarmed, and sorry for what ⟨they⟩ had done; but not knowing what to do, they for ⟨some⟩ time stoed staring at the mishap they had ⟨occasioned⟩ without speaking one word. At last John ⟨spoke,⟩ “Alas!” said he, “ we shall have no milk for supper ⟨tonight!”⟩ and he gave a deep sigh.
“No milk for supper to-night!—for what reason?” replied Charles. “Is thero no more milk in the house?”
“Yes, but we shall have none of it; for don’t ⟨you⟩ remember that mamma, the last time we spilled ⟨the⟩ milk, said, should the like happen in our hands ⟨again⟩ we should have none for supper that night?”
“If that is the case,” said Charles, “we must ⟨go⟩ without it, that’s all; there is no great harm in ⟨wanting⟩ milk for once. In the meantimo let us tell ⟨mamma⟩ what has happened; so come away, John.”
“Well, so I will; but where’s all the hurry; ⟨can’t⟩ you stop a little?” Charles did so; but still John pleaded for delay, saying, “ He was so afraid he ⟨could⟩ not go.”
Children, both boys and girls, I advise you never to seek for excuses of this kind; never say, “Stop a minute, or stop a little,” for reparations of faults cannot, be made too soon.
Well, hear what happened to John:—The longer he lingered the more unwilling he felt to accompany his brother Charlos; at last he pulled his hand away from him, positively refusing to acknowledge his share in the spilling of the milk, saying, “That his brother might go himself, for he should not.”
“So I shall,” said Charles; “and I only waited for you that I might put you in humour—thinking yeu would like te tell mamma the truth in this matter.”
