"
"I never thought of it in that way," said Fred.
"But how are you ever to have any fun if you must stop and think about
things?" Jim asked, feeling ashamed in spite of himself as he
remembered how near he had come to making one of such a crowd.
"Its being fun isn't any excuse. Suppose you thought it fun to steal
somebody's pocketbook?" said Carl.
"That is a different thing."
"What is the real difference between stealing money and ruining
something that cost money?" asked Will.
"Father says that in America people have less respect for public
property than anywhere else in the world," remarked Fred.
"I am afraid it is true," replied Mrs. Howard, "and that is why I want
you boys to think about it. Ikey, haven't you something to say?" This
young gentleman, who had been fidgeting about like some uneasy insect,
now became greatly embarrassed.
"I don't know whether it will count or not, and it is as much Carl's
as mine," he began.
"It isn't at all; you thought of it--go on."
Aunt Zelie nodded encouragingly at him, though she had no idea what
was coming, and after several beginnings Ikey managed to tell the
story of the cat. Louise had found the poor thing, and had come in
great distress to the boys.
Pages:
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110