78 THE PREVARICATION STORY.

derstand, that that was the reason why they
did not come home sooner ; but the truth was,
they had stopped to play a long time before
the ram got away with their halter. The
story was intended to make their father
believe that they were not much to blame ;
whereas they had been, very much to blame
indeed.”’

“Yes, I see,” said Rollo.

“It is very easy for boys to give a false
idea by telling what is, in itself, true; and
this is prevarication.”’ .

‘Is prevarication as bad as to tell a lie, up
and down?” asked Rollo.

“T think it is very bad,’’ replied Jonas.

“But is it as bad as lying?” persisted
Rollo.

‘Some folks think it is,’? said Jonas.

“But I want to know what yow think,”
said Rollo.

“T don’t know,” said Jonas; “you had
better ask your father.”

“I think it is just as bad,” said Lucy.

“TY will ask my father,” said Rollo.
“ But go on, Jonas,”

oh

while to catch the ram, and that was true —
too; but then they meant their father tq un-.