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this was the best fun of all。
〃I didn't! When? Where? It's a joke!〃
〃You did;〃 cried Jill; pointing to the rug。 〃You went to sleep there
after the long walk; and talked in your sleep about 'Bob' and 'All
right; old boy;' and ever so much gibberish。 I didn't think about it
then; but when I heard that Bob was up there I thought maybe he
knew something about it; and last night I wrote and asked him; and
that's the answer; and now it is all right; and you are the best boy
that ever was; and I'm so glad!〃
Here Jill paused; all out of breath; and Frank said; with an
approving pat on the head;
〃It won't do to have such a sharp young person round if we are
going to have secrets。 You'd make a good detective; miss。〃
〃Catch me taking naps before people again〃; and Jack looked
rather crestfallen that his own words had set 〃Fine Ear〃 on the
track。 〃Never mind; I didn't mean to tell; though I just ached to do
it all the time; so I haven't broken my word。 I'm glad you all know;
but you needn't let it get out; for Bob is a good fellow; and it might
make trouble for him;〃 added Jack; anxious lest his gain should be
the other's loss。
〃I shall tell Mr。 Acton myself; and the Captain; also; for I'm not
going to have my son suspected of wrong…doing when he has only
tried to help a friend; and borne enough for his sake;〃 said
Mamma; much excited by this discovery of generous fidelity in her
boy; though when one came to look at it calmly; one saw that it
might have been done in a wiser way。
〃Now; please; don't make a fuss about it; that would be most as
bad as having everyone down on me。 I can stand your praising me;
but I won't be patted on the head by anybody else〃; and Jack
assumed a manly air; though his face was full of genuine boyish
pleasure at being set right in the eyes of those he loved。
〃I'll be discreet; dear; but you owe it to yourself; as well as Bob; to
have the truth known。 Both have behaved well; and no harm will
come to him; I am sure。 I'll see to that myself;〃 said Mrs。 Minot; in
a tone that set Jack's mind at rest on that point。
〃Now do tell all about it;〃 cried Jill; who was pining to know the
whole story; and felt as if she had earned the right to hear it。
〃Oh; it wasn't much。 We promised Ed to stand by Bob; so I did as
well as I knew how〃; and Jack seemed to think that was about all
there was to say。
〃I never saw such a fellow for keeping a promise! You stick to it
through thick and thin; no matter how silly or hard it is。 You
remember; mother; last summer; how you told him not to go in a
boat and he promised; the day we went on the picnic。 We rode up;
but the horse ran off home; so we had to come back by way of the
river; all but Jack; and he walked every step of five miles because
he wouldn't go near a boat; though Mr。 Burton was there to take
care of him。 I call that rather overdoing the matter〃; and Frank
looked as if he thought moderation even in virtue a good thing。
〃And I call it a fine sample of entire obedience。 He obeyed orders;
and that is what we all must do; without always seeing why; or
daring to use our own judgment。 It is a great safeguard to Jack; and
a very great comfort to me; for I know that if he promises he will
keep his word; no matter what it costs him;〃 said Mamma warmly;
as she tumbled up the quirls with an irrepressible caress;
remembering how the boy came wearily in after all the others;
without seeming for a moment to think that he could have done
anything else。
〃Like Casabianca!〃 cried Jill; much impressed; for obedience was
her hardest trial。
〃I think he was a fool to burn up;〃 said Frank; bound not to give in。
〃I don't。 It's a splendid piece; and everyone likes to speak it; and it
was true; and it wouldn't be in all the books if he was a fool。
Grown people know what is good;〃 declared Jill; who liked heroic
actions; and was always hoping for a chance to distinguish herself
in that way。
〃You admire 'The Charge of the Light Brigade;' and glow all over
as you thunder it out。 Yet they went gallantly to their death rather
than disobey orders。 A mistake; perhaps; but it makes us thrill to
hear of it; and the same spirit keeps my Jack true as steel when
once his word is passed; or he thinks it is his duty。 Don't be
laughed out of it; my son; for faithfulness in little things fits one
for heroism when the great trials come。 One's conscience can
hardly be too tender when honor and honesty are concerned。〃
〃You are right; mother; and I am wrong。 I beg your pardon; Jack;
and you sha'n't get ahead of me next time。〃
Frank made his mother a little bow; gave his brother a shake of the
hand; and nodded to Jill; as if anxious to show that he was not too
proud to own up when he made a mistake。
〃Please tell on; Jack。 This is very nice; but I do want to know all
about the other;〃 said Jill; after a short pause。
〃Let me see。 Oh; I saw Bob at church; and he looked rather blue;
so; after Sunday School; I asked what the matter was。 He said Jerry
bothered him for some money he lent him at different times when
they were loafing round together; before we took him up。 He
wouldn't get any wages for some time。 The Captain keeps him
short on purpose; I guess; and won't let him come down town
except on Sundays。 He didn't want anyone to know about it; for
fear he'd lose his place。 So I promised I wouldn't tell。 Then I was
afraid Jerry would go and make a fuss; and Bob would run off; or
do something desperate; being worried; and I said I'd pay it for
him; if I could。 So he went home pretty jolly; and I scratched
'round for the money。 Got it; too; and wasn't I glad?〃
Jack paused to rub his hands; and Frank said; with more than usual
respect;
〃Couldn't you get hold of Jerry in any other place; and out of
school time? That did the mischief; thanks to Joe。 I thrashed him;
Jilldid I mention it?〃
〃I couldn't get all my money till Friday morning; and I knew Jerry
was off at night。 I looked for him before school; and at noon; but
couldn't find him; so afternoon recess was my last chance。 I was
bound to do it and I didn't mean to break the rule; but Jerry was
just going into the shop; so I pelted after him; and as it was private
business we went to the billiard…room。 I declare I never was so
relieved as when I handed over that money; and made him say it
was all right; and he wouldn't go near Bob。 He's off; so my mind is
easy; and Bob will be so grateful I can keep him steady; perhaps。
That will be worth two seventy…five; I think;〃 said Jack heartily。
〃You should have come to me;〃 began Frank。
〃And got laughed atno; thank you;〃 interrupted Jack; recollecting
several philanthropic little enterprises which were nipped in the
bud for want of co…operation。
〃To me; then;〃 said his mother。 〃It would have saved so much
trouble。〃
〃I thought of it; but Bob didn't want the big fellows to know for
fear they'd