How do you like the outside of Frankie’s home? The inside was just as pleasant, that is, if any house can be as pleasant as the sky, and clouds, and trees filled with singing birds. The sun came in at the window, where there bloomed scarlet geraniums and heliotropes, and near which a golden canary sang his cheerful songs; and Mrs. Western, Frankie’s mother, was so cheerful and good that any place would be pleasant where she was. Frankie’s father was in California. It was a sad day when he bade his wife “good-bye,” and lifted Frankie in his arms for the last kiss; but he must leave them, to earn money, so that they could keep their pleasant home, for when his factory burned down one windy night, he lost, with it, all his property. After a few months had passed, Frankie did not miss his father, but played as merrily as ever. What a comfort he was to his mother! So strong, healthful, and happy all the day long! In only one way did he give his mother trouble. He had a very strong will and quick temper, and when he could not have his own way, would sometimes speak hasty, angry words. But his patient mother taught him the wickedness of yielding to his temper, and by gentle words led him to see how dark is the life of sin, and how light and pleasant the “way of holiness.” How Frankie learned to “walk in the light,” we shall see from the following chapters. [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER II. THE ADVENTURE IN THE CREEK. “Hurra! hurra!” shouted Ben Field, Joe West, and Willie Prime, throwing up their caps, and giving an extra cheer as they stopped in front of Mrs. Western’s gate. “What are you hurraing for?” asked Frankie, who stood inside the gate, whistling, with both hands in his pockets. “Coz you’ve got pants on,” said Ben. “You won’t have to stay in the yard now all the time, just as if you’re a girl.” “Don’t know,” Frankie said, doubtfully, putting his hand on the latch. “That’s right, Frank,” said Joe, “come on; we’ll have a game of marbles. I ain’t too big to play with a little fellow, are you, Will?” Joe was eight and Willie seven years old, and though Frankie was but six, he _felt_ quite as large in his new pants and jacket, as either of them; so he said, with an odd little air of dignity, “I _ain’t_ a little fellow, and I don’t want to play marbles.” “Of course not,” said Willie, “or you’d wear dresses. I did. I can just remember.” “He had a dress on yesterday, and a sun-bonnet,” Ben said, with a provoking laugh. “He’s growed a lot since then.” “Stop laughing at me, Ben Field. Do you see my copper toes,” and one of the new boots was thrust threateningly through the fence. “Never mind him, Frank,” said good-natured Joe. “Come on, boys, let’s go to the creek and wade.” “Don’t you want to go too?” asked Willie, seeing Frankie’s wistful look at the mention of the creek.