ought that he was sinking himself in his cousin's estimation
by this avowal, but he was in fact raising himself very much by
evincing so much honesty.

"He is not willing to receive commendation that he knows he does not
deserve," thought Wallace to himself. "That is a good sign. That is a
great deal better trait of character than to be able to lay up money."

Wallace thought this to himself as he rode along. He did not, however,
express the thought, but went on a minute or two in silence. At length
he said,

"So, then, you have got money enough to buy the squirrel?"

"Yes," said Phonny, "if a quarter is enough."

"It is enough," said Wallace, "I have no doubt. So that one difficulty
is disposed of. As to the second difficulty," he continued, "that is,
troubling the family about making the cage, we can dispose of that
very easily, too, for I can help you about that myself. What shall we
do about the third, leaving the doors open and making a noise when you
go back and forth to feed him?"

"Oh, I will promise not to do that," said Phonny.

"Promise!" repeated Wallace, in a tone of incredulity.

"Yes," said Phonny, "I'll promise, positively."

"Is it safe to rely on boys' promises about here?" said Wallace. "They
would not be considered very good security in Wall Street, in New
York."

"I don't know," said Phonny; "I always keep _my_ promises."

"Are you willing to agree, that if you make any noise or disturbance
in the family with your squirrel, that he is to be forfeited?"

"Forfeited!" said Phonny, "how do you mean?"

"Why, given up to me, to dispose of as I please," said Wallace.

"And what should you do with him?" asked Phonny.

"I don't know," said Wallace. "I should dispose of him in some way, so
that he should not be the means of any more trouble. Perhaps I should
give him away; perhaps I should open the cage and let him run."

"Then I think you ought to pay me what I gave for him," said Phonny.

"No," said Wallace, "because I don't take him for any advantage to
myself, but only to prevent your allowing him to make trouble. If you
make noise and disturbance with him, it is your fault, and you lose
the squirrel as the penalty for it. If you do your duty and make no
trouble with him, then he would not be forfeited."

"Well," said Phonny, "I agree to that. But perhaps you will say that I
make a disturbance with him when I don't."

"We will have an umpire, then," said Wallace.

"What is an umpi