had any influence with him. So the boys parted, the one for his school, and
the other for a stolen holiday in the woods.

The moment Charles was alone again, he felt no longer any desire to go with
Archy. He had successfully resisted the temptation, and the allurement was
gone. But even for listening to temptation he had some small punishment,
for he was late to school by nearly ten minutes, and had not his lessons as
perfect as usual, for which the teacher felt called upon to reprimand him.
But this was soon forgotten; and he was so good a boy through the whole
day, and studied all his lessons so diligently, that when evening came, the
teacher, who had not forgotten the reprimand, said to him:

"You have been the best boy in the school to-day, Charles. To-morrow
morning try and come in time, and be sure that your lessons are all well
committed to memory."

Charles felt very light and cheerful as he went running, skipping, and
singing homeward. His day had been well spent, and happiness was his
reward. When he came in sight of home, there was no dread of meeting his
father and mother, such as he would have felt if he had played the truant.
Every thing looked bright and pleasant, and when Juno came bounding out to
meet him, he couldn't help hugging the favorite dog in the joy he felt at
seeing her.

When Charles met his mother, she looked at him with a more earnest and
affectionate gaze than usual. And then the boy noticed that her countenance
became serious.

"Ain't you well, mother?" asked Charles.