第4章

JackandJilllaysilentlywatching,withasweetsortofsobernessintheiryoungfaces,andforamomenttheroomwasverystillasalleyeslookedupattheBlessedChild。Thesunshineseemedtogrowmoregoldenasitflickeredonthelittlehead,theflamesglancedabouttheglitteringtreeasiftryingtoclimbandkissthebabyfeet,and,without,achimeofbellsrangsweetly,callingpeopletohearagainthelovelystoryofthelifebegunonChristinusDay。

Onlyaminute,butitdidthemgood,andpresently,whenthepleasantworkwasover,andtheworkersgone,theboystochurch,andMammatoseeaboutlunchfortheinvalids,Jacksaid,gravcly,toJill,"Ithinkweoughttobeextragood,everyoneissokindtous,andwearegettingwell,andgoingtohavesuchcapitaltimes。Don\'tseehowwecandoanythingelsetoshowwearegrateful。"

"Itisn\'teasytobegoodwhenoneissick,"saidJill,thoughtfully。"I

fretdreadfully,Igetsotiredofbeingstill。Iwanttoscreamsometimes,butIdon\'t,becauseitwouldscareMammy,soIcry。

Doyoucry,Jack？"

"Menneverdo。Iwanttotramproundwhenthingsbotherme;butI

cant,soIkickandsay,\'Hangit！andwhenIgetverybadIpitchintoFrank,aridheletsme。Itellyou,Jill,he\'sagoodbrother！"andJackprivatelyresolvedthenandtheretoinviteFranktotakeitoutofhiminanyformhepleasedassoonashealthwouldpermit。

"Iratherthinkweshallgrowgoodinthisprettyplace,forIdon\'tseehowwecanbebadifwewantto,itisallsoniceandsortofpioushere,"saidJill,withhereyesontheangeloverthetree。

"Afellowcanbeawfullyhungry,Iknowthat。Ididn\'thalfeatbreakfast,Iwasinsuchahurrytoseeyou,andknowallaboutthesecrets。FrankkeptsayingIcouldn\'tguess,thatyouhadcome,JackandJilllaysilentlywatching,withasweetsortofsobernessintheiryoungfaces,andforamomenttheroomwasverystillasalleyeslookedupattheBlessedChild。Thesunshineseemedtogrowmoregoldenasitflickeredonthelittlehead,theflamesglancedabouttheglitteringtreeasiftryingtoclimbandkissthebabyfeet,and,without,achimeofbellsrangsweetly,callingpeopletohearagainthelovelystoryofthelifebegunonChristmasDay。

Onlyaminute,butitdidthemgood,andpresently,whenthepleasantworkwasover,andtheworkersgone,theboystochurch,andMammatoseeaboutlunchfortheinvalids,Jacksaid,gravely,toJill。

"Ithinkweoughttobeextragood,everyoneissokindtous,andwearegettingwell,andgoingtohavesuchcapitaltimes。Don\'tseehowwecandoanythingelsetoshowwearegrateful。"

"Itisn\'teasytobegoodwhenoneissick,"saidJill,thoughtfully。"I

fretdreadfully,Igetsotiredofbeingstill。Iwanttoscreamsometimes,butIdon\'t,becauseitwouldscareMammy,soIcry。

Doyoucry,Jack？"

"Menneverdo。Iwanttotramproundwhenthingsbotherme;butI

cant,soIkickandsay,\'Hangit！andwhenIgetverybadIpitchintoFrank,andheletsme。Itellyou,Jill,he\'sagoodbrother！"andJackprivatelyresolvedthenandtheretoinviteFranktotakeitoutofhiminanyformhepleasedassoonashealthwouldpermit。

"Iratherthinkweshallgrowgoodinthisprettyplace,forIdon\'tseehowwecanbebadifwewantto,itisallsoniceandsortofpioushere,"saidJill,withhereyesontheangeloverthetree。

"Afellowcanbeawfullyhungry,Iknowthat。I\'didn\'thalfeatbreakfast,Iwasinsuchahurrytoseeyou,andknowallaboutthesecrets。FrankkeptsayingIcouldn\'tguess,thatyouhadcome,andIneverwouldbeready,tillfinallyIgotmadandfiredaneggathim,andmadenoendofamess。"

JackandJillwentoffintoagaleoflaughterattheideaofdignifiedFrankdodgingtheeggthatsmashedonthewall,leavinganindeliblemarkofJack\'sbesettingsin,impatience。

JustthenMrs。Minotcamein,wellpleasedtohearsuchpleasantsounds,andtoseetwomerryfaces,whereusuallyonelistlessonemetheranxiouseyes。

"Thenewmedicineworkswell,neighbor,"shesaidtoMrs。Pecq,whofollowedwiththelunchtray。

"Indeeditdoes,mem。IfeelasifI\'dtakenasupmyself,I\'mthateasyinmymind。"

Andshelookedso,too,forsheseemedtohaveleftallhercaresinthelittlehousewhenshelockedthedoorbehindher,andnowstoodsmilingwithacleanapronon,sofreshandcheerful,thatJillhardlyknewherownmother。

"Thingstastebetterwhenyouhavesomeonetoeatwithyou,"

observedJack,asthey\'devouredsandwiches,anddrankmilkoutoflittlemugswithrosebudsonthem。

"Don\'teattoomuch,oryouwon\'tbereadyforthenextsurprise,"

saidhismother,whentheplateswereempty,andthelastdropgonedownthroatsdrywithmuchchatter。

"Moresurprises！Oh,whatfun！"criedJill。Andalltherestofthemorning,intheintervalsoftalkandplay,theytriedtoguesswhatitcouldbe。

Attwooclocktheyfoundout,fordinnerwasservedintheBirdRoom,andthechildrenrevelledinthesimplefeastpreparedforthem。Thetwomotherskeptthelittlebed—tableswellsupplied,andfedtheirnurslingslikematernalbirds,whileFrankpresidedoverthefeastwithgreatdignity,andateadinnerwhichwouldhaveastonishedMamma,ifshehadnotbeentoobusytoobservehowfastthemincepievanished。

"ThegirlssaidChristmaswasspoiledbecauseofus;butIdon\'tthinkso,andtheywon\'teither,whentheyseethissplendidplaceandknowallaboutourniceplans,"saidJill,luxuriouslyeatingthenut—meatsJackpickedoutforher,astheylayinEasternstyleatthefestiveboard。

"Icallthisbrokenbonesmadeeasy。IneverhadabetterChristmas。

Havearaisin？Here\'sagoodfatone。"AndJackmadealongarmtoJill\'smouth,whichbegantosing"LittleJackHomer"asanappropriatereturn。

"Itwouldhavebeenalonesomeonetoallofus,I\'mthinking,butforyourmother,boys。Mydutyandheartythankstoyou,mem,"

putingratefulMrs。Pecq,bowingoverhercoffee—cupasshehadseenladiesbowovertheirwine—glassesatdinnerpartiesinOldEngland。

"Irisetoproposeahealth,OurMothers。"AndFrankstoodupwithagobletofwater,fornotevenatChristmastimewaswineseenonthattable。

"Hip,hip,hurrah！"calledJack,baptizinghimselfwithagoodsprinkle,ashewavedhisglassanddrankthetoastwithalookthatmadehismother\'seyesfillwithhappytears。

Jillthrewhermotherakiss,feelingverygrownupandeleganttobediningoutinsuchstyle。Thenthey\'drankeveryone\'shealthwithmuchmerriment,tillFrankdeclaredthatJackwouldfloatoffonthedelugeofwaterhesplashedaboutinhisenthusiasm,andMammaproposedarestafterthemerry—making。

"Nowthebestfuniscoming,andwehavenotlongtowait,"saidtheboy,whennapsandridesabouttheroomhadwhiledawaythebriefintervalbetweendinneranddusk,fortheeveningentertainmentwastobeanearlyone,tosuittheinvalidsbedtime。

"Ihopethegirlswillliketheirthings。Ihelpedtochoosethem,andeachhasanicepresent。Idon\'tknowmine,though,andI\'minatwittertoseeit,"saidJill,astheylaywaitingforthefuntobegin。

"Ido;Ichoseit,soIknowyouwilllikeoneofthem,anyway。"

"HaveIgotmorethanone？"

"Iguessyou\'llthinksowhentheyarehandeddown。Thebellwasgoingalldayyesterday,andthegirlskeptbringinginbundlesforyou;Iseesevennow,"andJackrolledhiseyesfromonemysteriousparceltoanotherhangingontheladenboughs。

"Iknowsomething,too。Thatsquarebundleiswhatyouwanteversomuch。ItoldFrank,andhegotitforhispresent。Itisallredandgoldoutside,andeverysortofcolorinside;you\'llhurrahwhenyouseeit。Thatroundishoneisyourstoo;Imadethem,"criedJill,pointingtoaflatpackagetiedtothestemofthetree,andaneatlittlerollinwhichwerethebluemittensthatshehadknitforhim。

"Icanwait";buttheboy\'seyesshonewitheagerness,andhecouldnotresistfiringtwoorthreepop—cornsatittoseewhetheritwashardorsoft。

"ThatbarkingdogisforBoo,andthelittleyellowsled,soMollycandraghimtoschool,healwaystumblesdownsowhenitisslippery,"continuedJill,proudofhersuperiorknowledge,assheshowedasmallspottedanimalhangingbyitstail,witharedtonguedisplayedasifabouttotastethesweetiesinthehornbelow。

"Don\'ttalkaboutsleds,formercy\'ssake！Ineverwanttoseeanother,andyouwouldn\'t,either,ifyouhadtoliewithaflat—irontiedtoyourankle,asIdo,"saidJack,withakickofthewelllegandanirefulglanceattheweightattachedtotheotherthatitmightnotcontractwhilehealing。

"Well,Ithinkplasters,andliniment,andrubbing,asbadasflat—ironsanyday。Idon\'tbelieveyouhaveachedhalfsomuchasI

have,thoughitsoundsworsetobreaklegsthantosprainyourback,"protestedJill,eagertoproveherselfthegreatersufferer,asinvalidsareapttobe。

"Iguessyouwouldn\'tthinksoifyoudbeenpulledroundasI

waswhentheysetmyleg。Caesar,howitdidhurt！"andJacksquirmedattherecollectionofit。

"Youdidn\'tfaintawayasI\'didwhenthedoctorwasfindingoutifmyvertebrumswerehurt,sonow！"criedJill,boundtocarryherpoint,thoughnotatallclearwhatvertebraewere。

"Pooh！Girlsalwaysfaint。Menarebraver,andIdidn\'tfaintabitinspiteofallthathorridagony。"

"Youhowled;Franktoldmeso。DoctorsaidIwasabravegirl,soyouneedn\'tbrag,foryou\'llhavetogoonacrutchforawhile。I

knowthat。"

"Youmayhavetousetwoofthemforyears,maybe。Iheardthedoctortellmymotherso。Ishallbeupandaboutlongbeforeyouwill。Nowthen！"

Bothchildrenweregettingexcited,forthevariouspleasuresofthedayhadbeenrathertoomuchforthem,andthereisnoknowingbuttheywouldhaveaddedthesadsurpriseofaquarreltothepleasantonesoftheday,ifacheerfulwhistlehadnotbeenheard,asRalphcameintolightthecandlesandgivethelastartistictouchestotheroom。

"Well,youngfolks,howgoesit？Hadamerrytimesofar？"heasked,ashefixedthestepsandranupwithalightedmatchinhishand。

"Verynice,thankyou,"answeredaprimlittlevoicefromtheduskbelow,foronlytheglowofthefirefilledtheroomjustthen。

Jacksaidnothing,andtworedsulkyfaceswerehiddeninthedark,watchingcandleaftercandlesputter,brighten,andtwinkle,tillthetremblingshadowsbegantoflitawaylikeimpsafraidofthelight。

"Nowhewillseemyface,andIknowitiscross,"thoughtJill,asRalphwentroundthelastcircle,leavinganotherlineofsparksamongthehemlockboughs。

Jackthoughtthesame,andhadjustgotthefrownsmoothedoutofhisforehead,whenFrankbroughtafreshlog,andagloriousblazesprungup,fillingeverycorneroftheroom,anddancingoverthefiguresinthelongchairstilltheyhadtobrightenwhethertheylikeditornot。Presentlythebellbegantoringandgayvoicestosoundbelow:thenJillsmiledinspiteofherselfasMollyLoo\'susualcryof"Oh,dear,whereisthatchild？"reachedher,andJackcouldnothelpkeepingtimetothemarchEdplayed,whileFrankandGusmarshalledtheprocession。

"Ready！"criedMrs。Minot,atlast,andupcamethetroopofeagerladsandlasses,braveinholidaysuits,withfacestomatch。A

unanimous"0,o,o！"burstfromtwentytongues,asthefullsplendorofthetree,theroom,anditsinmates,dawneduponthem;

fornotonlydidtheprettyChrist—childhoverabove,butSantaClaushimselfstoodbelow,fur—clad,white—bearded,andpowderedwithsnowfromthedredging—box。

Ralphwasagoodactor,and,whenthefirstraptureswereoverhedistributedthepresentswithsuchdrollspeeches,jokes,andgambols,thattheroomrangwithmerriment,andpassers—bypausedtolisten,surethathere,atleast,Christmaswasmerry。Itwouldbeimpossibletotellaboutallthegiftsorthejoyofthereceivers,buteveryonewassatisfied,andthekingandqueenoftherevelssooverwhelmedwithlittletokensofgood—will,thattheirbedslookedlikeboothsatafair。Jackbeamedoverthehandsomepostage—stampbookwhichhadlongbeenthedesireofhisheart,andJillfeltlikeamillionaire,withasilverfruit—knife,aprettywork—basket,andoh！coalsoffireonherheadaringfromJack。

Asimplelittlethingenough,withonetinyturquoiseforget—me—

not,butsomethinglikeadew—dropfellonitwhennoonewaslooking,andshelongedtosay,"I\'msorryIwascross;forgiveme,Jack。"Butitcouldnotbedonethen,sosheturnedtoadmireMerry\'sbed—shoes,thepotsofpansies,hyacinths,andgeraniumwhichGusandhissisterssentforherwindowgarden,Molly\'squeerChristmaspie,andthezitherEdpromisedtoteachherhowtoplayupon。

Thetreewassoonstripped,andpop—cornsstrewedthefloorasthechildrenstoodaboutpickingthemofftheredthreadswhencandygaveout,withanoccasionalcranberrybywayofrelish。Booinsistedontryingthenewsledatonce,andenlivenedthetripbythesqueakingofthespotteddog,thetootofatintrumpet,andshoutsofjoyatthesplendoroftheturn—out。

Thegirlsallputontheirnecklaces,anddancedaboutlikefineladiesataball。Theboysfelltocomparingskates,balls,andcuff—buttonsonthespot,whilethelittleonesdevotedalltheirenergiestoeatingeverythingeatabletheycouldlaytheirhandson。

Gameswereplayedtillnineoclock,andthenthepartybrokeup,aftertheyhadtakenhandsroundthetreeandsungasongwrittenbyonewhomyouallknowsofaithfullyandbeautifullydoessheloveandlaborforchildrentheworldover。

THEBLESSEDDAY

"WhatshalllittlechildrenbringOnChristmasDay,onChristmasDay？

WhatshalllittlechildrenbringOnChristmasDayinthemorning？

ThisshalllittlechildrenbringOnChristmasDay,onChristmasDay;

LoveandjoytoChristtheirking,OnChristmasDayinthemorning！

"WhatshalllittlechildrensingOnChristmasDay,onChristmasDay？

WhatshalllittlechildrensingOnChristmasDayinthemorning？

ThegrandoldcarolsshalltheysingOnChristmasDay,onChristmasDay;

Withalltheirhearts,theirofferingsbringOnChristmasDayinthemorning。"

Jackwascarriedofftobedinsuchhastethathehadonlytimetocallout,"Good—night！"beforehewasrolledaway,gapingashewent。Jillsoonfoundherselftuckedupinthegreatwhitebedshewastosharewithhermother,andlaylookingaboutthepleasantchamber,whileMrs。Pecqranhomeforaminutetoseethatallwassafethereforthenight。

Afterthemerrydinthehouseseemedverystill,withonlyalightstepnowandthen,themurmurofvoicesnotfaraway,orthejingleofsleigh—bellsfromwithout,andthelittlegirlrestedeasilyamongthepillows,thinkingoverthepleasuresoftheday,toowide—awakeforsleep。Therewasnolampinthechamber,butshecouldlookintotheprettyBirdRoom,wherethefire—lightstillshoneonflowerywalls,desertedtree,andChrist—childfloatingabovethegreen。Jill\'seyeswanderedthereandlingeredtilltheywerefullofregretfultears,becausethesightofthelittleangelrecalledthewordsspokenwhenitwashungup,thegoodresolutionshehadtakenthen,andhowsoonitwasbroken。

"IsaidIcouldn\'tbebadinthatlovelyplace,andIwasacross,ungratefulgirlafteralltheyvedoneforMammyandme。PoorJackwashurttheworst,andhewasbrave,thoughhedidscream。

IwishIcouldgoandtellhimso,andhearhimsay,\'Allright。Oh,me,I\'vespoiledtheday！"

Agreatsobchokedmorewords,andJillwasabouttohaveacomfortablecry,whensomeoneenteredtheotherroom,andshesawFrankdoingsomethingwithalongcordandathingthatlookedlikeatinydrum。Quietasabright—eyedmouse,Jillpeepedoutwonderingwhatitwas,andsuspectingmischief,fortheboywaslaughingtohimselfashestretchedthecord,andnowandthenbentoverthelittleobjectinhishand,touchingitwithgreatcare。

"Maybeit\'satorpedotoblowupandscareme;Jacklikestoplaytricks。Well,I\'llscreamloudwhenitgoesoff,sohewillbesatisfiedthatI\'mdreadfullyfrightened,"thoughtJill,littledreamingwhatthelastsurpriseofthedaywastobe。

Presentlyavoicewhispered,Areyouawake？"

"Yes。"

"Anyonetherebutyou？"

"Catchthis,then。Holdittoyourearandseewhatyou\'llget。"

Thelittledrumcameflyingin,and,catchingit,Jill,withsomehesitation,obeyedFrank\'sorder。Judgeofheramazementwhenshecaughtinbrokenwhispersthesetouchingwords:

"SorryIwascross。Forgiveandforget。Startfairto—morrow。Allright。Jack。"

Jillwassodelightedwiththishandsomeapology,thatshecouldnotreplyforamoment,thensteadiedhervoice,andansweredbackinhersweetesttone,"I\'msorry,too。Never,never,willagain。Feelmuchbetternow。

Good—night,youdearoldthing。"

Satisfiedwiththesuccessofhistelephone,Franktwitchedbackthedrumandvanished,leavingJilltolayhercheekuponthehandthatworethelittleringandfallasleep,sayingtoherself,withafarewellglanceatthechildren\'ssaint,dimlyseeninthesoftgloom,"Iwillnotforget。Iwillbegood！"

Chapter7Jill\'sMissionThegoodtimesbeganimmediately,andverylittlestudyingwasdonethatweekinspiteofthevirtuousresolutionsmadebycertainyoungpersonsonChristmasDay。But,dearme,howwasitpossibletosettledowntolessonsinthedelightfulBirdRoom,withnotonlyitsowncharmstodistractone,butallthenewgiftstoenjoy,andadozencallsadaytooccupyone\'stime？

"Iguesswe\'dbetterwaittilltheothersareatschool,andjustgoinforfunthisweek,"saidJack,whowasingreatspiritsattheprospectofgettingup,forthesplintswereoff,andhehopedtobepromotedtocrutchesverysoon。

"IshallkeepmySpellerbymeandtakealookatiteveryday,forthatiswhatI\'mmostbackwardin。ButIintendtodevotemyselftoyou,Jack,andberealkindanduseful。I\'vemadeaplantodoit,andImeantocarryitout,anyway,"answeredJill,whohadbeguntobeamissionary,andfeltthatthiswasafieldoflaborwhereshecoulddistinguishherself。

"Here\'sahomemissionallreadyforyou,andyoucanbepayingyourdebtsbesidedoingyourselfgood,"Mrs。Pecqsaidtoherinprivate,havingfoundplentytodoherself。

NowJillmadeonegreatmistakeattheoutset——sheforgotthatshewastheonetobeconvertedtogoodmannersandgentleness,anddevotedhereffortstolookingafterJack,findingitmucheasiertocureotherpeople\'sfaultsthanherown。Jackwasamostengagingheathen,andneededverylittleinstruction;thereforeJillthoughthertaskwouldbeaneasyone。Butthreeorfourweeksofpettingandplayhadratherdemoralizedbothchildren,soJill\'sSpeller,thoughtuckedunderthesofapilloweveryday,wasseldomlookedat,andJackshirkedhisLatinshamefully。Bothreadallthestory—bookstheycouldget,helddailyleveesintheBirdRoom,andalltheirspareminuteswerespentinteachingSnowdrop,thegreatAngoracat,tobringtheballwhentheydroppeditintheirgame。

SoSaturdaycame,andbothwererathertheworseforsomuchidleness,sincedailydutiesandstudiesarethewholesomebreadwhichfeedsthemindbetterthanthedyspepticplum—cakeofsensationalreading,ortheunsubstantialbon—bonsoffrivolousamusement。

Itwasastormyday,sotheyhadfewcallers,anddevotedthemselvestoarrangingthealbum;forthesebookswerealltheragejustthen,andboysmettocompare,discuss,buy,sell,and"swap"stampswithasmuchinterestasmenon\'Changegambleinstocks。Jackhadanicelittlecollection,andhadbeensavinguppocket—moneytobuyabookinwhichtopreservehistreasures。

Now,thankstoJill\'stimelysuggestion,Frankhadgivenhimafineone,andseveralfriendshadcontributedanumberofrarestampstogracethelarge,invitingpages。Jillwieldedthegum—brushandfittedonthelittleflaps,asherfingerswereskilfulatthisnicework,andJackputeachstampinitsproperplacewithgreatrustlingofleavesandcomparingofmarks。Returning,afterabriefabsence,Mrs。Minotbeheldthecountenancesoftheworkersadornedwithgaystamps,givingthemaverycuriousappearance。

"Mydears！whatnewplayhaveyougotnow？AreyouwildIndians？orlettersthathavegoneroundtheworldbeforefindingtherightaddress？"sheasked,laughingattheridiculoussight,forbothwereassoberasjudgesanddeeplyabsorbedinsomedoubtfulspecimen。

"Oh,wejuststuckthemtheretokeepthemsafe;theygetlostifweleavethemlyinground。It\'sveryhandy,forIcanseeinaminutewhatIwantonJill\'sfaceandsheonmine,andputourfingersontherightchapatonce,"answeredJack,adding,withananxiousgazeathisfriend\'svariegatedcountenance,"WherethedickensismyNewGranada？It\'srare,andIwouldn\'tloseitforadollar。"

\'Why,thereitisonyourownnose。Don\'tyourememberyouputittherebecauseyousaidminewasnotbigenoughtoholdit？"

laughedJill,tweakingalargeorangesquareofftheroundnoseofherneighbor,causingittowrinkleupinadrollway,asthegummadetheoperationslightlypainful。

"SoI\'did,andgaveyouLittleBolivaronyours。NowI\'llhaveAlsaceandLorraine,1870。Therearesevenofthem,soholdstillandseehowyoulikeit,"returnedJack,pickingthelarge,palestampsonebyonefromJill\'sforehead,whichtheycrossedlikeaband。

Sheboreitwithoutflinching,sayingtoherselfwithasecretsmile,assheglancedatthehotfire,whichscorchedherifshekeptnearenoughtoJacktohelphim,"Thisreallyisbeinglikeamissionary,withatattooedsavagetolookafter。Ihavetosufferalittle,asthegoodfolksdidwhogotspearedandroastedsometimes;butIwon\'tcomplainabit,thoughmyforeheadsmarts,myarmsaretired,andonecheekisasredasfire。"

"TheRomanStatesmakeahandsomepage,don\'tthey？"askedJack,littledreamingoftheparthewasplayinginJill\'smind。"Oh,Isay,isn\'tCoreaabeauty？I\'meversoproudofthat";andhegazedfondlyonabigbluestamp,thesoleornamentofonepage。

"Idon\'tseewhytheCapeofGoodHopehaspyramids。TheyoughttogoinEgypt。TheSandwichIslandsareallright,withheadsoftheblackkingsandqueensonthem,"saidJill,feelingthattheywereveryappropriatetoherprivateplay。

"Turkeyhascrescents,Australiaswans,andSpainwomen\'sheads,withblackbarsacrossthem。Franksaysitisbecausetheykeepwomenshutupso;butthatwasonlyhisfun。I\'dratherhaveagood,honestgreenUnitedStates,withWashingtononit,orablueone—centerwitholdFranklin,thanalltheireaglesandlionsandkingsandqueensputtogether,"addedthedemocraticboy,withadisrespectfulslaponacrownedheadashesettledHeligolandinitsplace。

"WhydoesAustriahaveMercuryonthestamp,Iwonder？Dotheywearhelmetslikethat？"askedJill,withthebrush—handleinhermouthasshecutafreshbatchofflaps。

"Maybehewaspostmantothegods,soheisputonstampsnow。

ThePrussianswearhelmets,buttheyhavespikesliketheoldRomanfellows。IlikePrussianseversomuch;theyfightsplendidly,andalwaysbeat。Austrianshaveahandsomeuniform,though。"

"TalkingofRomansremindsmethatIhavenotheardyourLatinfortwodays。Come,lazybones,braceup,andletushaveitnow。

I\'vedonemycompo,andshallhavejusttimebeforeIgooutforatrampwithGus,"saidFrank,puttingbyaneatpagetodry,forhestudiedeverydaylikeaconscientiousladashewas。

"Don\'tknowit。Notgoingtotrytillnextweek。GrindawayoveryouroldGreekasmuchasyoulike,butdon\'tbotherme,"

answeredJack,frowningatthemerethoughtofthedetestedlesson。

ButFrankadoredhisXenophon,andwouldnotseehisoldfriend,Caesar,neglectedwithoutanefforttodefendhim;soheconfiscatedthegum—pot,andeffectuallystoppedthestampbusinessbywhiskingawayatonefellswoopallthatlayonJill\'stable。

"Nowthen,youngman,youwillquitthissortofnonsenseanddoyourlesson,oryouwon\'tseethesefellowsagaininahurry。Youaskedmetohearyou,andI\'mgoingtodoit;here\'sthebook。"

Frank\'stonewasthedictatorialone,whichJackhatedandalwaysfoundhardtoobey,especiallywhenheknewheoughttodoit。

Usually,whenhispatiencewastried,hestrodeabouttheroom,orranoffforaraceroundthegarden,comingbackbreathless,butgood—tempered。Nowboththeseventsforirritationweredeniedhim,andhehadfallenintothewayofthrowingthingsaboutinapet。HelongedtosendCaesartoperpetualbanishmentinthefireblazingcloseby,butresistedthetemptation,andansweredhonestly,thoughgruffly:"IknowI\'did,butIdon\'tseeanyuseinpouncingonafellowwhenheisn\'tready。Ihaven\'tgotmylesson,anddon\'tmeantoworryaboutit;soyoumayjustgivemebackmythingsandgoaboutyourbusiness。"

"I\'llgiveyoubackastampforeveryperfectlessonyouget,andyouwon\'tseethemonanyotherterms";and,thrustingthetreasuresintohispocket,Frankcaughtuphisrubberboots,andwentoffswingingthemlikeapairofclubs,feelingthathewouldgiveatrifletobeabletousethemonhislazybrother。

Atthishigh—handedproceeding,andthethreatwhichaccompaniedit,Jack\'spatiencegaveout,andcatchingupCaesar,ashethought,senthimflyingaftertheretreatingtyrantwiththedefiantdeclaration,"Keepthem,then,andyouroldbook,too！Iwon\'tlookatittillyougiveallmystampsbackandsayyouaresorry。Sonow！"

ItwasalloverbeforeMammacouldinterfere,orJilldomorethanclutchandclingtothegum—brush。Frankvanishedunharmed,butthepoorbookdashedagainstthewalltofallhalfopenonthefloor,itsgaycoverloosened,anditssmoothleavescrushedbytheblow。

"It\'sthealbum！OJack,howcouldyou？"criedJill,dismayedatsightofthepreciousbooksomaltreatedbytheowner。

"Thoughtitwastheother。Guessitisn\'thurtmuch。Didn\'tmeantohithim,anyway。Hedoesprovokemeso,"mutteredJack,veryredandshamefacedashismotherpickedupthebookandlaiditsilentlyonthetablebeforehim。Hedidnotknowwhattodowithhimself,andwasthankfulforthestampsstilllefthim,findinggreatreliefinmakingfacesashepluckedthemonebyonefromhismortifiedcountenance。Jilllookedon,halfglad,halfsorrythathersavageshowedsuchsignsofunconvertedferocity,andMrs。

Minotwentonwritingletters,wearingthegravelookhersonsfoundhardertobearthananotherperson\'sscolding。Noonespokeforamoment,andthesilencewasbecomingawkwardwhenGusappearedinarubbersuit,bringingabooktoJackfromLauraandanotetoJillfromLotty。

"Lookhere,youjusttrundlemeintomyden,please,I\'mgoingtohaveanap,it\'ssodullto—dayIdon\'tfeellikedoingmuch,"saidJack,whenGushaddonehiserrands,tryingtolookasifheknewnothingaboutthefracas。

Jackfoldedhisarmsanddepartedlikeawarriorbornefromthebattle—field,tobechaffedunmercifullyfora"pepper—pot,"whileGusmadehimcomfortableinhisownroom。

"Iheardonceofaboywhothrewaforkathisbrotherandputhiseyeout。Buthedidn\'tmeanto,andthebrotherforgavehim,andheneverdidsoanymore,"observedJill,inapensivetone,wishingtoshowthatshefeltallthedangersofimpatience,butwassorryfortheculprit。

"Didtheboyeverforgivehimself？"askedMrs。Minot。

"No,\'m;Isupposenot。ButJackdidn\'thitFrank,andfeelsrealsorry,Iknow。"