'What have you been doing?' the latter inquired; 'how is it your mother
can't keep you out of mischief?'

'I haven't been in mischief, really I haven't'; and poor Teddy felt the
truth of the saying, 'Give a dog a bad name, and hang him.'

He tried to tell his story, and then when that did not seem to be
understood, he deftly changed the subject.

'What does Farmer Green like best in the world?' he asked.

This astonishing question struck Mrs. Green dumb, but her daughter
Natty laughed.

'Gooseberry pudding!' she said. 'Now then, what's the next question?

But Teddy was silent, and not another word did he say till the farmer
came in again.

'This youngster is on the tack of reforming himself, Mary Ann,' said
Jonathan, sitting down in the chair that Teddy immediately vacated upon
his entrance; 'do you believe it?'

'I have no faith in boys,' said Mrs. Green, with a shake of her head,
'they're all alike, and are always taking you unawares!'

'You hear what the missus says; you won't get no help from that quarter.
But I'll give you a chance; would you like to stop to tea with us?'