"
"Well, it isn't any of your business whether we went or not," growled
John. "All you've got to do is to say we were there if you're asked."
"I can't tell a lie about it, can I?"
"Yes, you can, if you just make up your mind to do it."
"But I won't tell a lie about it," said Ralph, sturdily.
"No, I suppose you'd rather get your brothers in a scrape. You know what
will happen if we're found out."
Ralph hesitated. He was an affectionate child and disliked to see
anybody in trouble, especially his own brothers, but he had a very
decided opinion that he was in the right, and therefore concluded to
speak the truth at all hazards.
"I'm just as sorry as I can be," he returned, sadly, "and I'll beg papa
to forgive you and say I know you won't ever do it again, but if they
ask me I can't tell a lie about it."
"You won't, eh, little saint?" cried John, angrily, grabbing his
brother's arm. "Now just promise to do as we say, or we'll pitch you
into that deep pond over there."
Ralph was too young to realize that this was only an idle threat, and he
was very much frightened, yet in that moment of terror the thought of
Daniel in the lion's den flashed through his mind and gave him the
strength that he had not dared to hope for. He saw in an instant that he
had come to his temptation and his den of lions, and he felt that as God
had protected Daniel in that far-away time, He would now protect him.
Ralph had never learned to swim, and he was in fear of the big frogs and
other creatures that inhabit ponds, but he did not flinch.
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