en myself.

As my examination drew to a close, however, Aleck once again burst in
with the determined assertion that I knew more than I had said.

My mother, who was present, was indignant at his persistency, saying
that in all my life I had never told a lie, and it was unpardonable thus
to speak of me; whilst my father simply said, "Since you are not able to
conduct yourself with propriety, Aleck, you must go to bed." And my
cousin left the room accordingly, whilst I was subjected to the moral
torture of a further cross-examination; from which, however, strong in
the distinct assertion that I had not touched either rope or boat, I
came off clear.

One step, indeed, my father gained, in the course of his inquiry,
towards the truth. In answer to one of his questions, I used the
pronoun _we_.

"Who's _we_?" asked my father, quickly.

"Frisk and I, papa."

"Then you had Frisk with you, and I suppose as playful as usual?"

"Yes, papa."

"Did Frisk get at the ship or the rope, do you think?"

"I never saw him touch the ship; I don't think he could touch it; but
then I went to the meadow to fly the kite."

"Did Frisk get near the rope?"

"Yes, papa, just before I came away; but I didn't see him slip off the
ring, though now I think he must have done so."

"You think so because you saw him going near the rope?"

"Yes, papa; but I can't tell you any more. I went to fly my kite, and
Frisk came up quite panting soon after, having run hard because I had
happened to leave him behind."

"It was the dog did it," said my father quite decidedly, turning to my
mother. "Willie, you should have been more careful; you might have known
it was not safe to leave Frisk in the Cove; but I quite believe your
word, and that you had no hand in the matter."

Then the subject was dismissed: I played a game of chess with my mother,
and finally went up to bed at the usual time, to receive, before going
to sleep, the never-omitted visit, which was the peaceful closing to so
many peaceful days.

My mother stayed but for a moment on this evening, going on almost at
once to my cousin's room.

I heard all about that visit afterwards, so that I am able to tell what
passed almost as well as if I had been present.

My mother found Aleck lying wearily and restlessly in bed, with tearful
eyes and hot flushed face, that told of sleep being by no means near.
She sat down beside him and said, "It was a sad disappointment for you,
Aleck, to