Welcome back, everyone to one thousand one classic short stories and tales.

This is your host, John Haggadorn.

And now, part two of the Lie, by Mary Anton.

All the way home, Miss Ralston debated the wisdom of allowing him to go alone. But as she recalled

his look and his entreating voice, she felt anew the compulsion that had made her yield.

She attributed his sudden breakdown entirely to overwrought nerves,

and remorsefully resolved not to subject him in the future to the strain of extra hours after school.

Her misgivings were revived the next morning,

when David failed to appear with the ringing of the first gong, as was his habit.

But before the children had taken their seats, David's younger brother, Benny, brought her news of the missing boy.

David's sick in bed, he announced, in accents of extreme importance.

He didn't come home till awful late last night, and he was so frozen, his teeth knocked together.

My mother says he burned like a fire all night, and she had to take a little Harry in her bed

with her and Papa, so as David could sleep all alone. We all went downstairs in our bare feet this

morning, and dressed ourselves in the kitchen, so David could sleep. What's the matter with him? Did you have the doctor?

No, ma'am, not yet. The dispensary don't open till nine o'clock.

Miss Ralston begged him to report again in the afternoon, which he did, standing before her,

cap in hand, his sense of importance still dominating over brotherly concern.

He's sick all right, Benny reported. He don't eat at all, just drinks and drinks.

My mother says he cried the whole morning, when he woke up and found out he'd missed school.

My mother says he tried to get up and dress himself, but he couldn't, anyhow, too sick.

Do you have a doctor? Interrupted Miss Ralston, suppressing her impatience.

...