Chapter VII: Conclusion

WHEN the classes had all recited, the visitors took their leave, Mrs. Colvin asking permission for Frankie to accompany them home, as their friend would remain only one night.

So they all left together, Frankie turning, as he went out, to make a bow to his master. Tony thinking, I suppose, it was the rule of the school, turned round also, and made such a funny little motion with her head as set the whole school laughing.

I need not tell you that our little friend felt very happy. Instead of walking along steadily with his mother and the colonel, he and Tony had a chase, here and there, every minute or two returning to the side of their friends.

Before they were half-way home, he determined to tell his mother all that had occurred at school, ending with, "It's bad enough to be whipped for whispering, ma; but if I had been talked to before the school for lying, I should have felt so mean, I never could have shown my face there again."

"And that is not the worst of it, my dear son," said the lady; "the exposure before the school was mortifying, to be sure; but that is nothing compared to the displeasure of our heavenly Father. There is no sin which appears to good people more mean and despicable than lying, and there is none which God abhors more."

"Well, mother," said Frankie, "I'm resolved I'll never, never tell another lie. You know I haven't told one for a long time."

"May God help you to keep so good a resolution!" said Colonel Jameson, very solemnly, laying his hand on the boy's head. "Be truthful and obedient, and you will not only have the friendship of all good people; but God, your heavenly Father, will reward you with his favor."

Tony, at this, sprang into Frankie's arms, and laid her head on his breast.

Colonel Jameson smiled as he saw the little boy lay his cheek against Tony's nose. He loved Frankie for the kind care he took of the dog. After a while he asked,—

"Frankie, can you guess what brought me out here to day?"

"No, sir."

"I came to get permission for you and Tony to go with me to the sea-shore. There is nice bathing there."

"Oh! Oh!" screamed the boy. "I'm so glad. May I go, ma?"

"Yes, dear. I have consented, on condition that you never go near the water, unless in company with Colonel Jameson."

"I never will, ma. I'll do everything he says. Oh, wont I have a good time! Say, Tony;" and he hugged the dog tightly in his arms. "But when are we going, Colonel Jameson?"

"On Monday morning. I shall come from the city in an early train; and you will meet me at the depot. Your mother has promised to fit you up in a bathing-suit, and I will provide fish-poles."

Frankie sprang up the floor, clapping his shouting with delight,—

"Thank you, ma, for letting me go. I mean to be a real good boy after this."

It was now Friday; but immediately after the Colonel left, the young boy insisted that it would be safer to pack his clothes and have everything in readiness for a start. He ran to the attic to bring a small valise, and asked his father's permission to take it.

An hour later, his mother entered his chamber and found the floor covered with caps, boots, shoes, books, balls, etc., etc.

"Why, what is this, Frankie?" she asked.

"I can't get all my things in, ma," said the boy, in a desponding tone.

"You will only want one change, my dear, besides your bathing clothes, and that, with some clean collars, a comb and brush, and plenty of dry socks, will be all that you will need."

"Would you carry Tony's new suit, ma? I wish I could; she does look so funny in it."

"I think there'll be room in the valise."

"How kind you are, ma!" Frankie jumped up and gave his mother a warm kiss.

Monday morning came at last; and the little fellow, determined to be in season, had privately engaged cook to wake him as soon as it was light. To his mother's great surprise, he walked into her chamber, just as the clock was striking five, all dressed for his journey.

It was still two hours before the train would leave the city; and Mrs. Colvin tried to persuade him to return to bed; but his father laughed and said,—

"Let him stay up if he wishes."

At eight o'clock, he met Colonel Jameson and started off in high glee. At the end of a week, he walked into the sitting-room with Tony at his heels. His face was as brown as a nut; but he exclaimed, as he kissed his mother,—"I've been a good boy, ma; Colonel Jameson told me to tell you so."