Then after a few desperate but unavailable attempts by rearing and plunging to throw his rider, he dashed over the fields with the speed of the wind. George, glorying in his achievement and inconsid- erate of the peril to which he was exposing the animal, gave the panting steed the rein. When the horse began to show signs of exhaustion, he urged him on hoping thus to subdue him to perfect docility.

The result was that a blood vessel was burst and the horse dropped dead beneath his rider. George, greatly agitated by the calamity hastened to his mother with the tidings. Her characteristic reply was: "My son, I forgive you because you have had the courage to tell me the truth at once. Had you skulked away I should have despised you."