Chapter IV: Frankie's New Lesson

IN the afternoon, Mrs. Colvin went with her sewing to the nursery, where Frankie was still in bed. Nurse had carried some bread and milk to him there.

Tony was on the bed, too, and the boy was amusing himself with hiding his pocket-handkerchief under the sheets and telling her to find it.

"Is your head better?" asked his mother, seating herself near him.

"It felt better right off, as soon as I stopped playing," he said, earnestly.

"I was very sorry that you could not enjoy your favorite pudding, my dear. Cook said she made it on purpose for Master Frank."

"Did she have that nice, foaming sauce, ma?"

"Yes, it was very nice."

Frankie's face flushed, and then with a start, he covered his head with the pillows to hide his tears. At last he said,—

"I think you might have given me some, ma."

She made no answer; and presently he recovered himself and began his play with Tony again.

He hid the handkerchief here and there, now under the pillows, and then beneath the tick, when he would say authoritatively,—

"Go find it, Tony!" and she instantly obeyed.

"She is a very good dog," at last the lady remarked.

"Yes, ma, she minds me real quick. Sam Lambert has a dog; and he tried to make the boys believe that Fox—that's his name—was smarter than Tony."

"I saw him once. Sam had a stick and he threw it away and told Fox to get it; but the lazy thing never stirred. He just whisked his tail and stood still. I wouldn't have such a dog. Now see, ma, how quick Tony minds me."

He hid the handkerchief again, for the twentieth time, and then said, "Find it, Tony;" and she instantly darted here and there, pulling the pillow up with her teeth.

"I see, Frankie; and I think I know a little boy who could learn a good lesson from his dog."

"Learn from a dog, ma?"

"Yes, indeed! Don't you remember how Solomon, the wisest man, told us to go to the ant, and learn industry and perseverance? We can learn many lessons from animals, if we notice their particular traits."

Frank looked very thoughtful for a few moments, and then said, frankly,—

"I'm sorry, ma, I didn't obey you better. I acted just like Sam Lambert's Fox. I didn't think of that before."

Mrs. Colvin leaned over the bed, and kissed her boy.

What do you suppose she was thinking of? She was thanking God, who had put it into Frankie's heart to confess his sin.

"Why, ma," the boy went on, "if Tony had acted that way, when I told her to do something,—I mean if she had fooled away her time,—I should have got a stick and whipped her. Why didn't you whip me, ma?"

The lady smiled, as she said, "I preferred to punish you by sending you here, and giving you time to reflect; and I rejoice that you have learned so good a lesson from your pet. Obedience, prompt, cheerful obedience, is the best foundation for a good character. You see what a nuisance Tony would become if she did not obey you; and there is no sight more dreadful to good people, than an unruly, disobedient child. Such a one is sure to grow up disregardful of the laws of God and man, and very often ends his days in a prison, or on the gallows."

"But now I want to talk with you about your music. You can remember how very anxious you were to learn, and how many promises you made to practise regularly. Your father is very fond of music, and cheerfully paid the twenty-five dollars, which Mr. Lenox asks for teaching you."

"But, ma," urged the boy, "I didn't know how it would make my fingers ache. If I could play nice marches like Etty Bowles, I'd like it first-rate."

"Etty began when you did, Frankie; and I dare say her fingers ached till they became accustomed to the motion. If you persevere, you will soon be able to play marches. Every lesson you learn thoroughly is a good step in advance. You know how easy your first lessons have become."

"Oh, yes, ma! I can diddle 'em off tip-top." He laughed merrily, as he began to practise with his finger on Tony's back. Presently, he said,—

"Ma, if you'll let me get up, I'll play steady at it. I'll try to obey you just as nice as Tony does me. Wont I, doggy?"

"I'd like to see you doing that," replied ma.

Frankie lost no time in tumbling out of bed, followed by Tony, who seemed, by her joyful bark, to think that his young master had got into the right track again.

I wish you could have seen the boy as he splashed the water over his face and head. There was a look of resolution on his countenance which his mother was very much pleased to see.

"Come, ma! Come, Tony! Now you'll hear some playing!" And down he ran, happier than he had been for many a day.

When he was in the right humor, it only took one minute to find his place, arrange the stool, and seat the dog in a chair near him.

"It looks awful hard, ma," he said; "but I'll do it." So he began, slowly at first, picking out the chords of one line and then repeating the strains until it became familiar. Then he went on to the next, until he was himself surprised at his success.

"Bravo! Bravo! My dear child," exclaimed his loving father. "I doubt whether I could play better myself."

Frankie jumped. "Why, pa, I didn't know you were here. Stop a minute, please, and hear how nicely I have learned my whole lesson."

"How long do you think you have been practising?" asked his mother, kissing him.

"I don't know, ma; I never once thought of the time."

"One hour and twenty minutes. You have done well, my dear child."

"And my fingers don't ache at all. They only feel stiff a little. Now, ma, I feel as if I could dance, I'm so very glad. But wont Mr. Lenox be surprised, though? He'll say, 'Frankie Colvin, take your place on the stool;' and he'll frown and be all ready to scold when he finds I haven't practised the last lesson. Oh, it will be fun to see him!"

"Why, Frank," said his father; "you dance and hop about for all the world like Tony."

"I'm so happy, pa. This dear little doggy has given me one good lesson, and I love her better than ever," he added, hugging the faithful creature.

"It is a lesson," said his mother, gravely, "which I hope you will remember as long as you may live. Prompt, cheerful obedience, in the performance of duty, makes old and young happy. Now, my darling, you shall take a walk with me; and then it will be time for tea."