"I daresay I shall find it," said Fanny, supposing that her brother had left it in his room, or else in the hall. She soon came back saying that she had hunted everywhere, but could not find it. "I suppose the somebody who stole my whip, has taken that," growled Norman. "My dear, no one in this house would I am sure steal anything," said Mrs Leslie, "but a friend, who considered that you would make a bad use of your whip, has undoubtedly put it out of your way. Do not let me bear you make that remark again." "There are thieves everywhere," muttered Norman. At that moment, Trusty was seen coming along one of the walks, dragging something brown, and tossing it playfully about. On he came till he reached the lawn. "Why, Norman, I believe the dog has got your football, though he has managed to let the wind out of it," exclaimed Captain Vallery. "Oh, the thief, beat him, papa!" cried Norman. "Oh, pray not!" exclaimed Fanny, "I am sure Trusty did not intend to hurt Norman's ball," cried Fanny, running forward and catching Trusty. "Give it up, sir, give it up, you do not know the mischief you have done," she added. "Oh, but he must have stolen it, and see he has made a great hole in it with his teeth!" exclaimed Norman. Captain Vallery took up the football and examined it. "The dog did not do this," he said, pointing to the slit in the leather. "This was done by a sharp knife; we must not wrongfully accuse the dog, he must have found it in this condition; somebody else cut the hole." Norman grew very red; his papa looked at him. "I suspect somebody wanted to see the wind which I told him was within it," he observed. Norman grew redder still. "I thought so," said Captain Vallery. "Did you cut the hole in your ball, Norman?" he asked sternly. "I wanted to see the wind in it," murmured Norman. Now Captain Vallery, though he held some wrong ideas about education, was a highly honourable man, and as every honourable man must do, he hated a falsehood, or any approach to a falsehood. He considered that what some people call white lies are black notwithstanding, and he knew in his heart that God hates them. "Why did you say, then, that the dog had torn your ball, when you knew that you yourself cut it?" he asked. "I have never before punished you, but I intend to do so. I will not have a son of mine become a liar." "My dear," he said, turning to his wife, "take Norman in and put him to bed. I cannot look at him any more to-night." Mrs Vallery took Norman by the hand and led him into the house. Mrs Leslie said nothing, but she was glad to find that her son-in-law considered it necessary to try and put a stop to one of the bad ways of his son. Perhaps he might in time find out that there were other bad ways of his which it would be as well to check.