The child would have suffered any punishment rather than have told a deliberate lie.

He looked straight in the master's face and said, "Yes, sir, I did it." "Very well, go to your seat, and remain in school during the play-hour." With a heavy heart Martin obeyed; and soon after the school was dismissed.
"I say, Rattler," whispered Bob Croaker, as he passed, "I'm going to teach your white kitten to swim just now.

Won't you come and see it ?" The malicious laugh with which the boy accompanied this remark convinced Martin that he intended to put his threat in execution.

For a moment he thought of rushing out after him to protect his pet kitten; but a glance at the stern brow of the master, as he sat at his desk reading, restrained him; so, crushing down his feelings of mingled fear and anger, he endeavoured to while away the time by watching the boys as they played in the fields before the windows of the school..