Page:Zodiac stories by Blanche Mary Channing.pdf/269

252 "What made you think of saying that, Bobby?" asked his father quietly.

"Why, I heard Mamma say it!"

"You were in the room, then? I never noticed you! When will you learn not to repeat what other people say in confidence? Don't you know it is the cause of half the big and little troubles of life—this telling the silly things other people say without thinking? Remember that, and try never to do it again. To repeat what is said before you by persons who would not wish their words repeated is dishonorable!"

"Dishonorable" was a word which Bobby perfectly understood. He grew scarlet.

"Well, go on; what happened then?"

"Oh, I said some more—I said scorpions were nasty, and bit—and then,"

"And then?"

"Why, she ran and hit me!" Bobby said rather reluctantly.