"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,Jill--did 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 at--no,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 be down on him,so I thought he might not like me to tell grown people.I don't mind the fuss now,and Bob is as kind as he can be.Wanted to give me his big knife,but I wouldn't take it.
I'd rather have this,"and Jack put the letter in his pocket with a slap outside,as if it warmed the cockles of his heart to have it there.
"Well,it seems rather like a tempest in a teapot,now it is all over,but I do admire your pluck,little boy,in holding out so well when everyone was scolding at you,and you in the right all the time,"said Frank,glad to praise,now that he honestly could,after his wholesale condemnation.
"That is what pulled me through,I suppose.I used to think if I had done anything wrong,that I couldn't stand the snubbing a day.I should have told right off,and had it over.Now,I guess I'll have a good report if you do tell Mr.Acton,"said Jack,looking at his mother so wistfully,that she resolved to slip away that very evening,and make sure that the thing was done.
"That will make you happier than anything else,won't it?"asked Jill,eager to have him rewarded after his trials.
"There's one thing I like better,though I'd be very sorry to lose my report.It's the fun of telling Ed I tried to do as he wanted us to,and seeing how pleased he'll be,"added Jack,rather bashfully,for the boys laughed at him sometimes for his love of this friend.
"I know he won't be any happier about it than someone else,who stood by you all through,and set her bright wits to work till the trouble was all cleared away,"said Mrs.Minot,looking at Jill's contented face,as she lay smiling on them all.
Jack understood,and,hopping across the room,gave both the thin hands a hearty shake;then,not finding any words quite cordial enough in which to thank this faithful little sister,he stooped down and kissed her gratefully.