Such little gentlemen as they had been at dinner too, so
polite and well-behaved before their father and mother! There could
be no doubt that something must be very wrong about them, or they
would not change so entirely when out of sight. It is not always
true that a child must be deceitful who is less good in the absence
of the authorities; because their presence is a help and a restraint,
checking the beginning of mischief, and removing temptation; but one
who does not fall by weakness, but intentionally alters his conduct
the instant the elder is gone, shows that his will has been
disobedient all along
By and by Mr. Greville's voice was heard calling, "Martin! Osmond!"
As they went out to meet him in the passage, Miss Fosbrook clearly
overheard, "Here is the spring of the garden-engine spoilt. Do you
know anything about it?"
"No."
"You have not been meddling with it?"
"No." And they ran downstairs.
The colour flushed into Christabel's cheeks with horror. She was
glad that her little girls were all in Ida's room, listening to a
musical-box, and well out of hearing of such fearfully direct
falsehoods, as it seemed to her, not knowing that the boys excused it
to their own minds by the notion that it was not the SPRING of the
engine that they had been meddling with, and that so they did not
know how the harm had been done--as if it made it any better that
they lied to themselves as well as their father! The German saw her
dismay, and began to say how unlike her Ida was to her brothers--so
truthful, so gentle, and courteous; but poor Christabel could not get
over the thought of the ease and readiness with which deceit came to
these boys.
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