Billy Gets Up Early

Billy was very often late for school.

“If you can’t get up earlier,” said his father one morning, “I am not going to give you money for ice cream. This is the third time this week you have been late.”

“I’m sorry,” said Billy.

“You must do something about it,” said Daddy. “When I was your age I had to walk two miles to school. You have only a few hundred yards to go.”

“All right,” said Billy and ran out of the room.

He came into the classroom five seconds before the teacher came into the class.

“You are late again,” said Paul.

“I know,” answered Billy. “And Father says he won’t give me money for ice-cream if I am late again.”

Before he went to bed that evening Billy put his alarm clock near his bed. “I’m sure I’ll wake up in time,” he thought.

Next morning at six o’clock the alarm-clock rang and Billy jumped out of bed. His mother and father were still asleep. So he dressed and sat down in the armchair near the fire-place and began to read his book. But in a few minutes he was asleep.

At half past eight Daddy came into the room.

“Oh, now I see where the alarm-clock has gone to. Now we are all late!” he cried.

“Well, you can’t blame me,” answered Billy half asleep. “You said I must get up earlier — and I did.”