As they went in together, Lilian said, "Now, remember, Earl, that when
we have things to eat, you must not take ice cream and lemonade."
"I'll remember," said Earl, and then, as it was a large party, the two
were soon separated. Lilian trusted her brother so fully that she did
not think it needful to speak to him again, and when refreshments were
served, she did not think of looking for him. As it happened, they were
far apart.
Earl was very warm. His mother had told him to be careful about playing
too hard, but when interested in a game, the boy did not realize how
fast and far he ran. When the tempting ice cream, with berries, cake and
lemonade were passed, he allowed himself to be helped with the rest,
thinking only how hot he was and how good the cold things would taste.
He had eaten half his cream and half emptied his glass before he really
thought of his promise. Then he stopped suddenly, feeling sorry and
distressed.
[Illustration: The ice cream and lemonade prove too big a temptation.]
"But what could I do?" he reasoned. "It would not be polite to ask for
just berries alone."
This was Earl's second mistake. The first was forgetting his promise,
the second in thinking true obedience could ever be impolite.
"I might as well finish now, for if it's going to hurt me it has
already, and the rest won't do any more harm."
Mistake number three. Why should any wrongdoing be finished? Suppose a
driver should say about a horse, "He has a pretty big load now and so I
might as well pile on as much more as I can," would it be no worse for
the horse? Earl was entirely wrong.
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