Walter and Ned burst into a fit of laughter, so uncontrollable, that they almost fell from the stones on which they stood. As soon as they could speak, Ned cried: "I say Bo, you had better take out a patent for your new way of crossing brooks." But Bo was not prepared to enjoy his friend's joke. He was seated in the brook, with the water almost up to his chin. Seeing him so still, Walter went to the edge of the water, as near to him as possible and said: "Bo you are rather in a wet place; why don't you come out of it?" Bo then scrambled out, the water dripping from his clothes. Walter, with all his fun, was not without some thoughtfulness, and fearing lest Bolax's wetting might injure his health, urged him to hurry home to change his clothes. "No, I'll sit in the sun and dry myself," replied Bo in a surly tone. Ned tried to persuade him to run home, but he got angry with both boys. "Bolax, you're a snapping turtle today, and I'll leave you to recover your good temper." "I don't care; you may both go to the moon, if you like." "Oh, very well, Mr. President, of the Patent Brook Crossing Company," said Walter with a provoking laugh. "You shut up, or I'll throw you in the brook." Bo did not usually show such temper, but his ducking had given him a chill, and made him nervous. Ned, the peace-maker, then remarked that it was silly for friends to quarrel. "Let us make up and get you home, Bo, or Hetty will never give us another lunch for a picnic." When Master Bo got home, he tried to sneak up to his room, but his mother caught him on the stairs, such a sight as he was! mud, slime, weeds clinging to his soaking clothes. Hetty raised her hands, horrified at the condition of her favorite. "Whar yous done ben? you is getten' dreadful. Dat's de second big scrape yous been in since you' sister been away." "Why, Hetty!" exclaimed Mrs. Allen. "What else has Bo been doing? I hope you are not keeping things from your mother, my son. I fear something is very wrong with you. Did you get to confession last week?" "Mamma, I was going, but Father Clement was so cross to a fellow, who did a couple of mortal sins, and the fellow said he got pitched out of the box, so I got afraid." Ma--Did the boy tell you what the sins were? Bo--I asked him, but he looked at me with such a face, and called me a "greeny." Ma--Oh, you should not have asked him. Bo--Well, I just wanted to know if his sins were like mine. I couldn't dare to go to confession, if he got put out for only two mortal sins, I would catch it, for I have committed such a pile of them. Ma--Merciful goodness, child! When did you commit the sins? I was sure you told me all your thoughts and actions of each day. Bo--I do pretty much, Ma, dear, but you see I have not been having many talks with you at night for a long time. You let me say my prayers alone.