Nat and Tommy told their parts in the mischief, and were honestly sorry for the danger they had brought to the dear old house and all in it.

But Dan put on his devil-may-care look, and would not own that there was much harm done.
Now, of all things, Mr.Bhaer hated drinking, gambling, and swearing; smoking he had given up that the lads might not be tempted to try it, and it grieved and angered him deeply to find that the boy, with whom he had tried to be most forbearing, should take advantage of his absence to introduce these forbidden vices, and teach his innocent little lads to think it manly and pleasant to indulge in them.

He talked long and earnestly to the assembled boys, and ended by saying, with an air of mingled firmness and regret, "I think Tommy is punished enough, and that scar on his arm will remind him for a long time to let these things alone.

Nat's fright will do for him, for he is really sorry, and does try to obey me.

But you, Dan, have been many times forgiven, and yet it does no good.