"The train was due at six o'clock in the evening, and Mother promised
the twins that they might go to meet Grandma. After school she sent them
to the store to buy some things for supper, and she gave them ten cents
to buy candy.

"Now there were some children living in the neighborhood who were very
rude. For this reason the twins were never allowed to play with them.
But today, on their way to the store, they met these children, and all
went on together.

"They crossed a vacant lot, where there was a pile of crushed rock. Near
the rock pile, they met an elderly woman carrying a small satchel. She
spoke kindly to them; but one of the boys answered her very rudely, and
then stuck out his tongue at her. The lady turned to him and said, 'My
boy, you need someone to teach you how to be a gentleman.'

"'Oh, do I?' said the boy roughly. And picking up a stone from the rock
pile, he threw it at her. Another lad did the same, and still another.

"Now the twins had been taught to be polite--especially to old people.
Just now little Bee Polite began to buzz about them. But when children
are in bad company, it is always hard for them to hear the small voice
of conscience. For a moment they stood and watched the boys throw rocks
at the old lady; and then they began to throw them too.

"No matter how hard she tried, Daisy could not throw a stone straight.
But Dan had a better aim, and he threw a rock which struck the old lady's
hand.