Entry 2

When Mr. Prud'homme showed up at our door this morning, I knew we were in serious trouble. But Finny didn't miss a beat; he immediately began working his charm on the austere-looking man. As he rambled on and on about the excuses for our absence at dinner, the look on Mr. Prud'homme softened. It was clear that Finny's hypnotic eloquence had loosened the man's grip on trying to keep his solemn demeanor. Sensing his opportunity, Finny corroborated on his story by admitting that we had jumped from the tree, but quickly avoided punishment by explaining that we had only done so to prepare ourselves for the possibility of the draft age being lowered. I couldn't believe it! Finny had talked his way out of being punished, and did so without telling a single lie! He may have stretched the truth, but told the events of that night as truthfully as if he had been sworn under oath. Later, at the tea party, he pulled the same trick on Mr. Patch-Withers when he accidentally revealed his use of the Devon School tie as a belt, explaining that it was a symbolic tribute to the war effort. After the tea party, we decided to jump from the tree again. It was then that I lost balance on the branch; Finny instantly sprang out to catch my arm. It wasn't until later that I realized how lucky I was that he had prevented my fall. Finny had certainly saved my life.