Page:Anna Chapin--Half a dozen boys.djvu/291

Rh and by Mrs. Carter bad gone out of the room, and Fred went away in search of Fuzz. Then Bess moved a chair up before the open fire, and  pulled a low stool to its side.

“Come, Phil, I want to talk.”

Phil obediently settled himself at Bessie’s feet, and prepared for the worst; but Bess only  began to talk about the boys and the club. The child was just congratulating himself on his continued escape, when she suddenly  asked,—

“What do you think I have started the club for?”

“I don’t know. Fun, I suppose.”

“Partly for that, but, still more, to improve us in all sorts of ways. And yet I find I have failed to teach you the very first lesson of all.”

“What’s that?” asked Phil curiously.

“Obedience, Phil. Your father and mother wish you to tell Miss Witherspoon who threw that marble, and you refuse to obey them.”

“I’m not going to tell tales,” said Phil sullenly.

Bess rested her hand lightly on the smooth brown head.